Sealed!

Sealed!

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]. [Matt. 12:37.] Proverbs 18:21 AMPC

The book of Proverbs is substantially attributed to Solomon, touted as the wisest man who ever lived at his time. In fact, God's promise was that if Solomon followed God with all his heart, there will not be any king in Israel like him either before or after him. We know from recorded history how Solomon grew in wisdom and impact, because God blessed him. But we also know how he ended up, and how his heart was made to pursue after other gods. It doesn't matter how close your walk with God is; you just cannot switch off at any moment and think you have arrived.

Today's extract is one of the many vivid images captured by Solomon. The tongue is but one of the many parts of the human body, but its effects are eternal. It is not visible unless its owner opens the mouth, but once exposed and used, its effect cannot be ignored. The tongue is seen as powerful because of what it can achieve: death or life. That's deep. Why would the tongue carry so much power? Because the user has been made in the image of God and carries the same creative power its creator has. This is the reason why the one who will wield the power of the tongue must understand what is at stake. 

In that tongue lies the power to heal, help, kill or destroy. What flows out is a function of what has been sown over time, whether good or bad. The good doesn't happen overnight; it is the result of deliberate action. That's the indulge part. What do you indulge in: God's Word or the world? What catches and holds your attention: the things of God or the world's? Remember, what you indulge in, grows. Whatever you feed, grows and bears fruit. 

And the fruit of your indulgence will be personal to you first of all. If you were to be shown the quality of the fruit of your tongue now, would you be able to eat it with joy? Today's extract isn't so much a threat as it is an admonition to watch where I step, what I do, what I watch, hear or see. These are the things that lead to the things I say. 

What guards have I put in place over my senses? What daily routines do I keep to ensure that I am constantly nurturing the right and starving the wrong? And of course, there are eternal consequences to the use of this tongue. You cannot expect to be careless with God's creation and then expect no accountability or responsibility. God will demand from every life how we have handled all He has given. Whilst I still have time, I must take stock and make amends where required. Eternity is too long a time not to be sure of where you will spend it. His time of favour is here.