The Power of the Tongue

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Do you remember angry, unjust, or nasty words spoken to you many years, perhaps decades, ago? Did someone make you feel unwanted and unloved? Do they still sting and cause pain?

Then someone came along and spoke happy words that healed and transformed. They gave you hope and encouragement. They made you feel wanted and important. You recall them with a glad heart.

We each possess the same power in our tongues and in our hearts. Pastor always says that, “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.”

 

The Greek word Toxicon (in ancient archery) translates to an arrow tipped off with yew, a deadly poison. A pull and release of the bow lets the arrow fly. It damages and kills whomever it hits.

Our words, like a poison arrow, can speak death or despair, or they can speak life and healing. 

Toxic words flying at a particular person alters who he/she is. They lodge in the heart and cause deep wounds. They also hurt the speaker. Toxic words expose his/her heart to others. “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4 KJV

We have within us the power to wreak havoc with other lives, or speak words of encouragement, love, and healing.   Once we let our words go, we can never get them back.  The wound festers for years afterward. 

We need to guard our hearts so truth and hope spill over into our conversations. It is one way to make the world better.  The words will ring in the ears for all time.

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a silver basket.” Proverbs 25:11 KJV

A line drawing of a woman shooting a bow and arrow. Artist: Benjamin Crowell (wikipedia user bcrowell).

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All Bible Quotes from the King James Bible