Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. – Proverbs 18:21
I’ve been knee-deep in the book of Proverbs lately and every chapter, nay every verse has given me a good kick in my behind and heart.
If you’ve ever wondered, “God what do you want me to be like?” “What do YOU like? What don’t you want me to do?”
Read Proverbs and let your mind be blown away and may you act on that knowledge.
But today, we’d like you to focus on one aspect that Proverbs constantly emphasizes. And that’s our speech.
Have you ever thought about the words you speak over yourself & others?
I’m too far gone.
She is too fake.
He’ll never change.
I’m ugly.
She’s just got a bad vibe about her.
I’m useless.
They have everything and I don’t.
I can never do it.
How we talk about ourselves, and others matters a whole lot more than you think. Words have the power to bring life or death to you and others.
If you’re feeling low, defeated, empty, and tired- evaluate what are the words happening in your mind right now.
Is it words of life being spoken?
Or is it words of destruction, division & death being spoken by you?
Death by your negativity. Death by what others have said. Death by cynicism. Death by gossip. Death by assuming. Death by blaming.
Too often this is what we choose and it’s a never-ending cycle.
The hope we have is that we can change this narrative right now.
We can pivot from choosing death to picking life.
As much as it’s a struggle and painful to break this pattern, to get away from the narratives we’ve clung to for years- we can still break it.
Will be hard? Yes
Will it take time? Yes
Will it be work that you need to put in constantly till it comes naturally? Yes
Will it be worth it? Absolutely.
There is enough death at the fingertips of the world right now.
So can we challenge you to speak life instead?
Speak life over yourself.
Speak life over your family.
Speak life over your coworkers and your work.
Speak life over your situation.
Speak life over your friendships.
Speak life over your single life.
Speak life over the difficult people in your life.
Speak life over your marriage.
Speak life over strangers.
Speak life.
It would be easier to gossip. Instead do the hard & holy thing – speak life.
It would be easier to point out all the flaws. Do the hard & holy thing- speak life.
It would be easier to criticize and judge. Do the hard & holy thing- speak life.
It would be easier to be repulsed by the person staring at you in front of the mirror – Do the hard & holy thing- speak life.
We have so much more power than we realize with our tongues. With our language. With our thoughts.
Reframe & renew your mind and see the difference it makes.
One of the most renowned theologians, Jonathan Edwards has a saying that we hope we all resolve to do – “…let there be something of kindness in ALL I speak“
So today, start with what you think and what you say out loud.
Do the hard and holy thing- speak life.
And notice the change. The change in you and how you see the world.
Where once you saw ashes, you’ll see beauty.
Where once you could only see death, you’ll see life bloom.
Where once you saw only gray, you’ll see bright and vibrant colors.
Where once you saw scarcity, you’ll see abundance.
Speak life and watch yourself surely change from the inside out.
Speak life and see this world flourish. You will flourish and thrive.
May the prayer of the psalmist be our daily prayer:-
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer
