The power of life and
death is in your mouth
Our brains are very active. Research indicates that we think
70,000 thoughts daily on the average.
Many of us know God wants to be victorious. However, that
knowledge isn't always reflected in our words. The reality is that every one of
us has spoken negatively about ourselves or about others. Generally before we
speak negatively, we have already rehearsed the words in our minds. This is
significant, because what we believe to be true and what we think about
consistently we eventually speak out.
Negative thoughts become negative words, which become
negative experiences—which results in our using more negative words. For
instance, we say things such as: "We'll never be able to get financially
ahead," "I want to give up" or "These negative things are
just part of life—nothing can change them, including God." We think we're
stating reality, but the more these words are repeated, the more we will find
ourselves in the very situations, bringing us frustration.
The words that we speak, are they life or death? Do they
give us hope or discouragement? Since we are held responsible for every word we
speak, I think we had better listen very carefully to what we are saying, not
just to our brethren, but also to ourselves. Notice what Jesus said: "But
I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give
account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be
justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Mt.12:36-37). Let us
look at the words, justified and condemned a little more closely. By being
Justified -- we are being freed from all blame, we are without guilt and we are
shown or proven to be right. Condemned means -- to be pronounced unfit for use,
guilty. By our own words we can be free from blame and without guilt, or we can
pronounce ourselves guilty and unfit for the use of God. If it is the Word of
God -- it is Life, it is freedom. If it is ourselves speaking -- it is death,
and words of death will destroy, kill everyone that hears us; and not only they
who hear us, but ourselves as well. Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life
are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit
thereof."
People die because of something said. Tongues can be weapons
of mass destruction, launching holocausts and wars. Tongues can also be the
death of marriages, families, friendships, churches, careers, hopes,
understanding, reputations, missionary efforts, and governments.
But people also live because of something said. The tongue
can be “a tree of life” (Proverbs 15:4). Tongues reconcile peoples and make
peace. “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). Tongues can make marriages
sweet, families strong, and churches healthy. Tongues can give hope to the
despairing, advance understanding, and spread the gospel.
So what will come out of your mouth today, death or life?
“Sword thrusts” or “healing” (Proverbs 12:18
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