Proverbs 18:21 AMPC
[21] 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].
Matthew 12:37 AMPC
[37] For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced.
When the wisest man on earth at the time, and you can say, the wisest man on record, speaks on a matter, we will do well to listen. Solomon speaks about the features, benefits, blessings and curses that may arise from the use of the tongue. This was a man whose very first assignment as king was to settle a dispute that involved life and death. If not for wisdom from God, how could he have known which of the two mothers owned the living child? As the life of Solomon has shown, man is limited in exposure, experience, knowledge and power. There are limits set around mortal man; only the Omniscient and Omnipotent God is beyond limit.
When He counsels us to take heed on any issue, we will do well to listen. Thr focus here is on the tongue, a small part of the body, but one that has been found to be at fault for many destroyed lives and destinies. Wars have been fought, lives have been taken, and many homes irretrievably broken up simply because one person said the wrong thing. The bible also warns us about the power of the tongue, calling it a fire that is able to contaminate the whole body, a restless evil, and full of deadly poison. What a way to describe a part of the body that is not even visible; if I do not open my mouth at all, you may never see it.
That is why the counsel in the verses above become critical. We have a part of the body that is able to impact eternity, not just for us, but even for those around us. When the wise men came to Jerusalem, their enquiries about the king that was born led to the king Herod slaughtering many children at the time. It was not done with evil intentions, yet it led to great sorrow and death. There are times when a gentle answer will turn away wrath, but the same word, spoken harshly, can stir up even more anger. Abigail used words to calm David down, who was on his way to destroy the house of Nabal. Words are not ordinary; they can shape or shred lives and destinies.
It is the use of it that defines whether life or death flows therefrom. We all have the power to choose HOW we use it, but we have no power over the consequences that follow. As Solomon and Jesus say in the verses above, if I love to use my tongue, I must also be ready for the output that is tied to its use. There is no fence to sit on; I am either promoting life, or pursuing death. It must be noted that the best use of the tongue is to subject it to the control and influence of the One who made it. He is the One who knows the right word for the right season, so that life becomes the norm. Remember: surrender is a choice I have to make. Would you? God's time of favour is here.
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