words

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

WORDS

Prov 18:20-21

20 From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

NIV

Words are important, they actually set the course of our lives. We can use words which would bring us destruction or the destruction of others or we can use words for our own good as well as building others up. Whatever words we use we will either suffer or enjoy the consequences of them. We are told the tongue is the most difficult member of the body to tame.

James 3:7-8

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue . It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

NIV

James goes on to give more advice to us regarding our tongue. He tells us that we can use it for duel purposes, praising God and cursing men.

James 3:9-12

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.   10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

NIV

This certainly is in conformity with the Wisdom of Solomon given to him from God. Our tongue, our words have the power of life and death. This most assuredly means within ourselves, but it also could be applied to others, We have the words that could bring life, eternal life to others, if we but voice them. We also have the words if not voiced could bring death to others. It is also possible our words could bring us down. If we say we are believers, Christians and use words that are not pleasing to God in the presence of unbelievers, we defame him. Oh sure we may not curse or use vulgarity, but do we speak about the same things unbelievers do? Can they tell we are believers by our words? Even in the body of Christ do we use our words to build each other up or simply use words to boast about ourselves? Even self-defamation might be a form of boasting. The idea of how much we are aware of our failures and express that about ourselves might be used to demonstrate just how spiritual we are. Words mean something, and it would be good for us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Whatever we say reflects on who we are. So then, we should use words carefully so they bring us life and bring life to those around us. Of course the best words are always the words spoken by God. So then, when we speak the words of God we speak life. When we speak the words of men that may well not bring any life at all, but rather death. The point God was making through James was we cannot use both types of words. We cannot speak about the things of God and the things of men at the same time. This could apply to so many aspects of our words. The most dangerous form of words of men is gossip. It is extremely destructive on all accounts. Sometimes just small talk turns to idle words which mean nothing at all and have no life in them. If words have no life, then would they have death? Just a thought. Yet it would seem the main point is that our words will bring us one or the other, life or death. Let us  use words that cause life to spring up within us and those around us.

1 Thess 5:10-11

 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

NIV

Let us consider Job, as God did. Let our words encourage each other, let our words comfort others and bring them relief.

Job 16:5

5 But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.

NIV