Tongue Tied

Have you ever tried to help a person speak when they had a difficult time trying to express themselves? Actually, it’s hard not to. It’s difficult to carry on a conversation with a person when words get stuck and ideas lost. That’s not the end of life for either party. But, “The tongue does have the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Can you recall the story of Moses in Deuteronomy when he said, “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now, choose life so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice and hold fast to Him.” What a challenging sermon. Moses used his tongue to present his audience an opportunity to choose life or death. He gave the pros and cons and said, “The choice is up to you - but for your own good, choose life.”

Tongues have power that far exceeds their length. The original language of this proverb is rather blunt: “Death and life are in the hand of the tongue.” How very disturbing. Our tongues actually have the power to bring life or death to others. Our tongues have the power to be agents of good or evil, build others up or tear them down, bring encouragement and hope or annihilate a person’s grasp on life because they are weak, feel unloved and unwanted by the abuse of the tongues of others.

What we say to others may destroy them completely.

Prayer:  Lord, how much power You gave us with our tongues and voices. May we bless others with them. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.