Death or Life

"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences."

-Proverbs 18:21

“Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Did that rhyme bring back some childhood nostalgia for a second? Maybe, or maybe not. But for me it reminds me of what I was told as a child to say back to someone intentionally trying to hurt me with their words. Back than I thought it sounded so cool. So I would use it quite often when faced with harsh words being spoken towards me. I felt as if it was the perfect come back; a shield protecting me from hurtful words that cut deeper than a knife. As I have grown over the years, I noticed that, that rhyme was a half truth and really only slapped a bandaid over the wound left behind from harsh words and corrupt talk. The reality of it is, is that words do hurt. They have the power to change the course of someone’s life and the way they perceive the world. They can either build up or tear down, breathe life or bring death. King Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived, and he quoted it best when he said,

“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” -Proverbs 18:21

Our words are very powerful. The Bible tells us in James chapter 3, “but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.” It also says, “Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.” Our tongues are evil. Praising our Heavenly Father in one moment, than gossiping and slandering those who He created in His likeness the next. Our words have a tremendous affect on people whether we can see it or not. We may try to convince ourselves that a little gossip or backbiting won’t hurt anyone as long as they don’t find out. We may even try to make excuses, such as; “well I was hurt,” or “I was just angry in the moment.” But the truth is, God knows. He hears every word, hears every thought. He sees every deed that we believe to be hidden or out of sight. Nothing is hidden from God. We are laid bare naked and exposed to the creator of the universe. And what is done in the dark, will come to the light.

Many, many times in my life have I gossiped. Many times have I slandered and tore down someone with my words. In the moment it felt good. I felt justified and vindicated. Especially if I felt someone hurt me first. My flesh was convinced that they deserved the death I spoke over them. My flesh craved payback and revenge. I couldn’t see the poison I was spewing into someone else’s life, and I hurt a lot of people in the process. It took until just recently for me to recognize this. How toxic and evil gossip and backbiting is. For me to understand the power of life and death that my tongue holds. My heart has been convicted.

Lately as I get put into positions to gossip about others, I feel myself get totally sick. The thought of tearing someone else down doesn’t sit right with me anymore. I don’t want to gossip, backbite, slander or bring death with my words anymore. I want to uplift, encourage, speak truth, and speak life into everyone. I have a choice, a free will to use my tongue for evil, or to use my tongue for the good. I can uplift and breathe life into someone, or break down and breathe death. I choose life. I want to love my enemies, do good to those who hate me, bless those who curse me, and pray for those who mistreat me.(Luke 6:27-28) So today I am laying all of these things at the foot of the cross and leaving them there. I am picking up my cross and trusting Jesus to finish the good work He’s started in me. It’s time to step out into this broken world, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak life into everyone brought my way. And I am so grateful! Praise God!

Blessings,

-Chelsey