Category: Taming the Tongue
Photo by B Tal
The potential effect of our words for good or for evil is often juxtaposed in Proverbs. For example,
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Prov. 15:1)
We have all been in situations where if we would have simply spoken a kind word of love and affection in the midst of hostility, the temperature in the room would have dropped instantaneously. Instead, the place blew up. Anyone who is married ought to memorize this verse. A soft display of concern by a husband toward an "animated" wife will usually calm the building storm almost as quickly as Christ ended the Galilean gale.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Prov. 18:21)
This may be the most sobering statement of them all with respect to the power of our words. When we speak truthfully, lovingly, graciously, and wisely, we can have such a profitable influence on others that the Bible describes it as "the power of life." That's power! Conversely, our lies, hateful speech, condeming and critical lashings, and foolishness, can be so detrimental to others as to warrant the label, "the power of death." We do well to wield such power with great care.
However, this sword cuts both ways. Not only do others bear the marks of our words, we, too, live and die by our own words. To use the author's metaphor, our words are either from the tree of life or the tree of death, that is, eternal life or death. Jesus Himself said as much:
But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matt. 12:36-37)