Life and death are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Words matter. Sticks and stones may sometimes break bones but words always have the power to injure or heal. Words do often bring hurt causing long-lasting, deep-seated wounds. Life and death are in our words. How many times have I injured those I love with the words often spoken when those loved ones aren’t even around? How many times have I been hurt by the words others speak in my absence? There is weight in our words.
Contemplate this, you carry life in your tongue. Surely every one of us remembers a time when a short phrase or even a single word from someone who cared changed our outlook on things.
“Keep your chin up!”
“It’s going to be okay.”
“Be blessed!”
“I’m praying.”
And certainly we’ve experienced life through the tongue of our Savior.
“Your sins are forgiven.”
“No one can take you out of my hand.”
“I will never leave you or forsake you.”
Through our words we have access to life, encouragement, death and discouragement. The tongue is powerful for by it life and death are spoken. We either lift up or we tear down but one way or another, we impact others with our words. May we be those who consistently speak life.
Ventanas 