“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Proverbs 18:21 KJV
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words but words will never hurt me.” We have heard and often repeated this phrase in our childhood, but soon discovered that words CAN and Will hurt you. Our tongues/words have the power to tear down, cutdown, kill and destroy families, friendships, marriages, churches, careers, reputations, hopes and dreams.
“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit” Proverbs 15:4 KJV
Your tone sets the atmosphere in conversations; therefore, speak wisely. It never hurts to show compassion, gratitude, or appreciation.
“Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.” Proverbs 10:14 KJV
“There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.” Proverbs 12:18 KJV
Be quick to listen and slow to speak. We are so eager to defend that we fail to hear what others have to say or even consider that it may have some validity. We are quick to put down, blame, criticize or complain.
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29 KJV
Do not be carless with the words you speak. Guard your words because your words have consequences. Pray for God to tame your tongue.
“Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.” Matthew 15:11 KJV
Speak blessings, not curses—when you have peace in your heart and in your spirit, it will flow naturally. Righteous living and right speech comes from a right and pure heart. It only takes a few seconds to hurt someone, and it can take even longer to repair, rebuild, or heal a broken spirit. The words we speak will expose the conditions of our hearts. Your mouth can say one thing, but your actions will ALWAYS reveal the truth.
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Luke 6:45 KJV
"But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man." Matthew 15:18 KJV
“A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” Matthew 12:35 KJV
In the day of judgement, we will not have to give an account of what others said to us, however, we will be held accountable for how we reacted/responded to their words. We cannot control the words of others, but we can control how we respond.
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.” Psalm 34:13 KJV
To speak life simply means to give love, hope and encouragement…...especially to those whom we proclaim to love.
“Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24 KJV
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 KJV