Choices!

Choices!

Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. Proverbs 18:21 MSG

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words. PROVERBS 18:21 AMP

Where do we start? How else can the place and purpose of the tongue be fully explained, other than how it has been laid out in today's extract? So many words are spoken about the tongue and its uses, and maybe just a few references will help underscore its importance. First, James talks about the tongue as being a fire, one that is capable of sending its owner to hell. The tongue is so unpredictable and versatile that it can be used to praise its creator and curse the products of the creator in the same breath. One moment, we are praising God, one moment we are cursing men. As far as James is concerned, and surely as God is concerned, that is an improper use of the tongue.

Solomon too in his wisdom speaks about the tongue. One of the most concise truths about the tongue is his conclusion that even a fool is thought to be wise, as long as s/he can keep the mouth shut. For such people, as soon as the mouth is opened, all doubt is removed. For Solomon, even for the home, building it up or pulling it down seems to be based on the proper use of the tongue. If any of the partners is a constant nag, instead of a constant encourager, then the home is in danger of being destroyed. Same tongue, different priorities.

That is why today's extract makes so much sense in the light of impact and eternal consequences. There is nothing I do today that is done in vain. There is nothing that is ordinary or routine, when it comes to the life God has given me. God would always make a demand for all He gives me, and I must be careful of how I use the resources He has placed at my disposal, even my tongue. Words can kill and give life; the difference is in what my tongue produces.

If i were offered my own words again to eat as food, would I be able to eat what my tongue produces? If words became poison or fruit, and I was ordered to make a choice, I believe my response would be to take the fruit. If that is my conclusion, then I must watch my words and ensure they are the stuff I would gladly eat again if offered back to me. The choice is always mine, and the consequences of my choice will always be personal to me. Each one of us will render an account to God for all he has given, so with the consciousness of God's grace, I watch what I do, what I say and how I live. His time of favour is here.