You have the power to speak life and death...

We don't really think about how important Proverbs 18:21 truly is, but it's true. We hold this power. What power is this? The power to speak life and death.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Our words hold a tremendous power, and I really hadn't thought about that until I wrote this blog post on my author blog the other day. I mean, I knew how powerful words were, but this really drove the point home to me. Sometimes I feel like we need a reminder of it. We tend to forget how important it is.

I was reminded of it, again, this morning when I could have flown off the handle at someone for angering me. This person had their own opinions of something, and I had my opinions. And although I responded once, I refused to respond again because I didn't want to get into a fight with anyone, especially this one. Although, I had come up with this whole speech that I wanted to type up and push "send" (It was on Facebook.), I didn't. I decided to delete the post altogether and let it go. Why? Because arguing would do no good. People have their opinions, and I have mine. They're entitled to share theirs, and I'm entitled to share mine.

But the point isn't about arguing opinions, it's about arguing. I could have said some horrible things in response to this comment, and this person could have said equally horrible things. But I didn't, and I don't think this person would have either. I'm not sure, but I wasn't opening the conversation up to that. It was best to stop the negative comments altogether, and that's what I did.

See, although I have the temper of a redheaded Irish woman, I kept that anger in check - this time. I've been known to not keep my tongue in check. I've said horrible things to people before, and I'm not proud of that. But I can change that now. I can mind what I say aloud about others and myself.

When you speak something, it's out there, and you can't take it back. It's important that we let God have our mouths and speak only good things. Ephesians 4:29 says, "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."

It's our job to speak life into others and situations. We don't need to start fights, nor do we need to call other people names, etc. We need to speak positively.

In the post that I mentioned above, I ended it with, "Maybe, just maybe, you can change someone’s life, too."

Who's life can you change today by speaking positively? Who's life can you change by not starting a fight? Calling people names? What are you doing to edify others? Let them have their opinions and you have yours. Just don't fight. Don't argue. Don't bully.

Life and death are in the power of the tongue. How will you use yours today?

Edifying Others

It's no secret that our words have power. (Proverbs 18:21 - "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.") We can tear someone down, and we can cause them happiness. The same goes for us, as a whole, we can convince ourselves that we're a horrible, no good person, or we can choose to speak love over ourselves. 

But, what happens when you use your words against someone? Lately, I've seen speeches regarding certain things happening in our country from Christians and non-Christians alike who aren't speaking grace to those who hear it. 

As a Christian, it's our job to spread the message of Christ. We can't do that if we're constantly telling people they're wrong and going to hell. Don't get me wrong. I believe people ought to know the consequences of not coming to the knowledge of Christ as their Savior, but we have to share the message in a loving manner. We have to love them, and we have to tell them that we love them. You can love the sinner and hate the sin, but as the verse above states, you have to be a blessing and give grace to those who need to hear your positive, worthy words. 

It's our job to benefit others by sharing things that would help them spiritually. We have to edify one another, and we have to love one another. 

Jesus commanded us to love one another as He loved the church. That is a love we'll never be able to understand, but it's something that we have to try and emulate. He loved us enough to die for us. He loves us enough to forgive us when we mess up and make a mistake. Are we doing that? Are we loving others and building them up when they make a mistake? Are you forgiving them?

We need to love one another with mercy. We need to speak words that are beneficial to souls. We need to care about one another.

I'm guilty of not always speaking properly towards my fellow man. Sometimes I get angry and say things I don't mean and that I shouldn't say. It's wrong of me, and I have to ask for forgiveness. Verses like Ephesians 4:29 are reminders that our words do hold power, and it's important for us to show God through our actions and words. There's a phrase that is continuously stuck in my mind, "We're the only Bible that some will ever see." How powerful is that statement! We need to remember that when we decide to speak unwholesome words. Who is watching us? Maybe it's the kid in the corner who's given up on God? Maybe it's the wife who just lost her husband and blames God? What are they seeing from the Christian who speaks unkindly against or to someone else? 

I have a hard time remembering this, especially when someone at the grocery store angers me. Putting on a happy face is difficult for me at times, but sometimes, I just need to paste on a smile and remind myself that God loves me as I am, just as He loves the one who angered me. I have to love them too. I have to remember to speak words that are beneficial to their spiritual progress. 

Love one another. Speak kind words. You never know who is watching you, and it's our job to show Christ through our words and actions.