Death and Life are in the Power of the Tongue

Psalm 52: “Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually. Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah. The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him: Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness. But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.”

That was my scripture of the day. Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Ouch. Apparently, God is trying to tell me something… I reflect on the numerous occasions when I have allowed my words to express negativity, whether by criticizing someone's culinary skills, their attire, or their driving habits. I have often highlighted the shortcomings of others, lamented my own discomforts, and participated in criticizing others rather than redirecting the conversation towards a more positive focus on God. Indeed, managing both the tongue and the mind can prove to be quite challenging.

As followers of Christ, we are urged to exercise caution and wisdom in our speech, ‎choosing to speak words that foster life rather than those that lead to destruction. The book ‎of James serves as a poignant reminder of the perils associated with our tongues, ‎emphasizing the necessity of self-control: ‎"If any man among you seem to be religious, and ‎bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his ‎own heart, this man's religion is vain." (James ‎‎1:26).‎ This theme is echoed in Ephesians 4:29,‎"Let no corrupt communication proceed out ‎of your mouth, but that which is good to the ‎use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto ‎the hearers.”‎ The profound impact of our words cannot be overstated; they possess the ‎dual capacity to uplift or to discourage.

In Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus warns, "But I say unto ‎you, That every idle word that men shall ‎speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of ‎judgment. For by thy words thou shalt ‎be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be ‎condemned."‎ Proverbs highlights this truth by likening a wholesome tongue to a tree of life, ‎while also warning that a perverse tongue can lead to spiritual ruin. Furthermore, Jesus ‎cautions us in Matthew 12:36-37, "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall ‎‎speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt ‎‎be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."‎. In light of these teachings, it is ‎imperative for Christians to be deliberate in their speech, using their words to honor God ‎and to uplift others, thereby reflecting the love and grace that are central to our faith.‎

In our fight against evil, we are instructed in Ephesians 6: 11-18 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

The Word of God is of utmost importance in this battle against the enemy. One scripture that I pray over my mind (sometimes continually until I gain victory) is 2 Corinthians 10:5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

We are also told in Colossians 3:2 to “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” And in Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

In the midst of any challenges we encounter, maintaining our focus on God's Word and keeping our thoughts directed towards Him will enable us to overcome all obstacles. His power surpasses any difficulties we may confront, and through His sacrifice at Calvary, Jesus has secured our victory. This assurance extends to triumph over our thoughts and speech.

Whenever I compose material for articles, my blog, or a Bible Study, I face opposition from Satan, who seeks to hinder the spreading of God's truths. However, he is already vanquished. I need to hold fast to these scriptures, immerse myself in God's Word, and maintain my faith to extinguish the enemy's fiery darts. This struggle can be quite challenging, as our human nature often desires control, yet we can achieve victory through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the teachings of Scripture. The devil attempts to instill fear, depression, anxiety, and various other forms of attack, employing every tactic at his disposal to undermine us, but we must resist him. I am profoundly grateful for the support of each of you sisters who have assisted me in my journey of faith and personal growth.

I pray that God assists us all in our efforts to maintain our spiritual armor, uphold our faith, and keep our minds upon the things of God. When we do these things it says in Isaiah 26:3  “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”