“Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
Philippians 4:9 KJV,https://bible.com/bible/1/php.4.9.KJV
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Proverbs 18:21 KJV,https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.18.21.KJV
The Power of Life and Death
Think of a time you said something you regret, or were the target of someone's hurtful words. Now, reflect on a situation where you encouraged a friend who was hurting, or felt the life-giving effects of someone speaking kindly to you.
Words matter. Your words matter. And, God has given you the freedom to choose how you use them.
Are you using your words to tear down or build up? To provoke destruction or initiate restoration? Do your words stir up drama or encourage peace?
“What you say flows from what is in your heart,” Jesus explained in Luke 6:45.
Fruit reveals the health of a tree, just as a tongue reveals what is happening in the heart.
Most of us want to use our words for good and not for harm … we don’t want to be unkind or critical. But, James 3 tells us that the tongue is unstable and cannot seem to be tamed.
So, what can we do? Is there a way to control it?
Self-control is a fruit the Holy Spirit produces in us, which means we can’t get there on...