A lot is at stake in what we say today. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21)

People die because of things that are 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)

It will all depend on what’s filling your heart. Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart [the] mouth speaks.”  (Luke 6:45)

A critical heart produces a critical tongue. A self-righteous heart produces a judgmental tongue. A bitter heart produces a sharp tongue. An ungrateful heart produces a grumbling tongue. But a loving heart produces a gracious tongue. A faithful heart produces a truthful tongue. A peaceful heart produces a reconciling tongue. A trusting heart produces an encouraging tongue.  So fill your heart with grace by soaking in your Bible. Soak in Matthew 5, or Romans 12, or 1 Corinthians 13, or Philippians 2. And be very careful taking in the words of death in the newspaper, the radio, the TV, or the blog.

Let’s seek opportunities to speak kind - tenderhearted words - words that are “good for building up,”   And pray: “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” (Psalm 141:3)

Be a person whose mouth is full of life!