The spoken word can be extremely powerful. When humans speak, it can literally mean life or death.
If I mention a few words of famous speeches, most senior Americans can readily recall the heart of the message. As time regressive examples: “I have a dream,” by Martin Luther King, 1963. Next, “Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You? John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address, 1961, How about, “We Shall Fight On The Beaches, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender..,” Winston Churchill, 1940. Very remarkable was, the 1983 Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln, “Four Score and seven years ago..,” And who can forget, at the breaking dawn of our great nation, Patrick Henry's inspirational words of “Give me liberty or give me death”!
But there have never been words spoken more powerful than in the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. As the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters, God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night...”
One of the many essential things we can talk about as believers is the power of our tongues. The impact of our words is never completely retrievable. God made man was made in his image. If you compare men and women to animals, you will see numerous similarities in the ability to exhibit emotions of love, hate, hunger, and fear. But there is a spectacular difference between humankind and animals. We were given the knowledge to form words and communicate them to each other. Not that animals can't speak among their own species and others as well. I'm sure animals verbally express themselves—it's just that I usually can't understand them. Just as I can't understand an Arab speaking. But even from the barked-out warnings of a protective guard dog or from the televised rants of a sword-wielding radical Muslim, a clear threatening message is still transferred by their tongues.
God spoke this world into existence. His spoken words created all things, living and inanimate, here on earth and the vast universes of infinity. God said, and it was so, and it was. Clear and simple.
God empowered us with the ability to speak, to glorify Him. It is one of the God-given attributes that formed us in His image. There have been many mornings when I hear the joyful chirping songs of the birds and I wonder; are they worshiping God more religiously than I do?
We are flesh and blood with a brain and soul that temporarily lives in this earthly body. Humankind was created as speaking entities, much like God Himself. And yes, if our faith was deep enough, we too could speak and mountains would move at our commands. But as you all know, we fall far, far short of what God expected of us.
So with that thought, let’s begin our study of the power of tongues. Proverbs 18:21, KJV, Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
With studious effort, we can readily discern important considerations within this single scripture. Our words have some kind of power. Meaning: Our speech can cause life or death. Now how our words can speak death needs little clarification. But how can our words speak life into reality? The best example I can think of is any courageous young girl or woman that says, “No I won't have an abortion. The baby within me has a God-given right to life.”
We can speak joyous lives into existence or speak with callous, vicious anger to the destruction of relationships and, possibly, even real physical deaths. An example of which might be words spoken or unspoken that contributed to the suicide of a loved one.
Now some imbecile may read that and think, “If I speak life to my bank account, it will become a reality.” That mistaken belief could be known as “word of faith theology,” totally misconstruing the life or death meanings of the spoken word within this epistle which speaks to the “cause and effect” with human to human relationships, or human to God situations.
Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.
As a simplified explanation: In a busybody's massive plurality of words, there is no lack of sin. We sin if we talk too much. We sin if we bow down to the god of “Political Correctness” and modify our beliefs. Most all sin begins with spoken words. All people bear fruit that is good or bad. Our spoken and unspoken words produce fruit. Good or bad, pleasing or rotten, we are required to “eat” that fruit. The Bible teaches that as a fact.
Luke 6:45. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Jesus teaches that everybody's speech produces fruit. Good fruit comes from those with good hearts, and evil is produced from those with evil in their hearts. This is a simple concept, but most people misuse verses similar to that and usually apply them to others, not themselves. Luke 6:45 is probably not quoted out of context as much as the parallel passage in Matthew 7:16. There we read, “you will know them by their fruits.”
How often have you heard it said that you can tell who the true Christians are by the fruit they produce?
Matthew 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
What edifying or destructive communications flow from our tongues and out of the mouth? Words come out of the mouth. Words can defile or words can be supportive. Which is done the most? Is gossip usually productive or detrimental? Does it really matter what we say to someone's face? Does it matter what we spew behind someone's back? Yes, it matters very much. Even if our gossip has a heavy vein of unflattering truth, why spread your chin-waggings like manure upon a field?
James, most likely the eldest step-brother of Christ, in his letter to the early Church, which was predominantly filled with Jewish Christians, wrote about bridling your tongue.
James 1:26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.
What does that verse mean to you?
James 3:2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
What do those words mean to you?
James 3:3-4 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.
Important lessons can be weaned from these scriptures. Straightaway we should strive not to stumble in our emotional moments or fumble out ill-conceived phrases towards those crossing our paths. Why not become more Jesus-like and restrain our run-a-way demeanor. The more mature person, one who is growing in Christ, strives to bring their tongue under control. Our words determine the direction of our life and others. Our tongue is like the bit in the horse’s mouth and like the keel and rudder that stabilizes and controls a ship at sea.
On the captain's orders, the helmsman of a ship must shift the rudder. In the same way, because of God's clear messages, we must modify our words to live and act properly, to be a godly influence to those we love. Spoken or unspoken words shape the ways and days of our life. Our life mirrors the reflections of our words.
So what does this mean to us? We must guard our lips against saying wrong or toxic phrases. Certainly, we need the right words, edifying words, spiritual words to flow across our tongues all the time. But, much to the mortification of proper English, we all can say, “That ain't easy!” The Gospel agrees by stating, “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”
If the tongue cannot become domesticated or docile, why are we discussing the curbing of our tongues? God gives us the ability to control our tongues. But who can tame the tongues of others? Not you! Not me! The taming of the tongue is an individual matter, which must be done by personal, concerted efforts. This takes not only a determined willingness but ongoing commitments as well.
James 3:9-10 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
Proverbs 18:20-21 A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Simply said, we should not speak of blessings and curses. Only blessings and kind words should flow from our mouths. In other words, we should exclusively use words that are life and spiritually uplifting. As opposed to words of hate or derision. As we learn more about the tongue's control over death and life, we should stop speaking hatefully or profanely and only speak with good intent.
It’s not enough to have only a proper work ethic and be an industrious person. Even as we work for God, we can destroy our hard work with our untamed mouths. If we constantly talk about problems, problems, problems or dwell only on our and other people's shortfalls, it will not matter how hard we work. We will always reap negative feelings, which make success much harder to obtain.
When we talk in terms of agreeing with the words of God, God’s Word says that He will supply or provide for all of our needs. Talking maliciously or plain old gossip is contrary to God. Talking with grace and faithfulness is what God asks of us. Where God says He will provide for all our needs (not necessarily our wants), we should speak in positive terms—even when life's horizons look otherwise. God’s Word is always the truth, even when circumstances ostensibly disagree. Faith in God’s promises always works.
But you should not separate what you believe from the words released from your mouth. From the abundance of our hearts, our tongues speak. If you are constantly speaking of doom and gloom is it because that is what you truly believe? Do you dwell on your body's aches and pains or your lack of a fabulous fortune? Or what Jane or Joe Blow said about you? Satan pressures us to believe lies. He wants us to dwell on our painful sensations, real or otherwise. Don't speak (excessively) about doubts or pangs of unbelief. That is not what God wants us to do!
The key to the right way of speaking is making sure that God’s promises are always in our hearts, and we praise Him and voice good things to and about others. Believers are supposed to reaffirm what God Word directs. Otherwise, you may not be a true believer. Believes endeavor, to the best of their ability, to live by God’s word!
Matthew 12:34-37 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it on the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” How do you interpret this passage?
If you want the right blessings coming your way, you need to speak appropriately. If we are full of God’s words and share them graciously, His promises, we will be fulfilled. Have Faith! The difference between the good man and the evil man Christ brought to our attention was which heart was the controlling heart. Whatever good or bad is in you will come out of your mouth. And whatever that is, it will produce the fruits in your life.
Idle or ill-considered words are unprofitable and less than productive. The words of God casting forth from your mouth produce good things in your life. God's promises are filled with the power of God to make His word good. It’s when we speak the word of God over the situations of our lives and others that our words are productive and beneficial. Not idly useless. When we believe and speak His promises, we are declared righteous in the eyes of Jesus.
But when we speak about how terrible or rotten our lives have become, and how we don’t know how we’re going to make it, then we are speaking wayward of God’s promises. We degrade ourselves and Christ almighty with unbelieving words.
What we say can determine our futures. Some believe, “What we say does not infallibly determine our future, using sickness and disease as prime examples.” These misguided persons believe, “no matter how much faith we have, at times, the Lord’s will is for diseases not to be cured.” That statement, in and of itself, is true. However, any person who feels our spoken faith in God's power never heals an incurable disease is preaching an atrocious theology. Many people asking God to heal themselves or others has resulted in inexpiable cures beyond the capabilities of modern science.
People can tout how pitiful and pathetic their lives are, or can they say they are comforted in the righteousness of God the Father, in the loving arms of Christ Jesus? Which way is the best, more rewarding for you and others? Agreeing with the word of God will make a person more righteous. Which words will condemn me? Speaking contrary to the word of God based on feelings of the moment will decree unrighteousness upon ourselves.
The Bible says that Christians will rule and reign with Christ for eternity. Accordingly, we will be raised up and sit together with Him in heavenly places. We are to be seated near Him on His throne of authority. We will reign in eternal life by the grace of God and the degradation and suffering Jesus Christ endured for our salvation. So we need to understand our responsibilities as those who shall rule and reign with Him.
Our earthly journey needs to travel the path of all understanding. The power of our words requires a commitment to bring our words under Christ's divine control and direction.
1 John 1:6-9 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
James 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
