Proverbs 18:21 says that life and death are in the power of the tongue. What does it mean by “power over the tongue?”
This Scripture isn’t the only place we see life and death being in the power of the tongue. In fact, its connection to the issue of life and death is found in the Scriptures. This means it would be wise to be aware of the power of the tongue.
Untangle the Tongue
The tongue is a tiny component of the body, according to the Book of James (James 3:5). However, it continues by referring to the tongue as though it were a personality rather than a bodily organ. The words produced by the mouth are the main lesson to be learned. Let’s examine Proverbs 18:21 in that light.
The words our tongues make have the potential to give us life or death.
There are two things happening there. There are words, and there is word production.
We understand what words are, but how are they created? Those words are spoken from the heart before they are said. So, let’s look at the passage in that light.
Life and death are in the power of the spoken words that come out of the heart.
James goes on to describe how this looks.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness (James 3:9).
When the Bible speaks of the power of the tongue, it is referring to the words we speak.
Revealing the Power
Words hold the force that motivates action. They either erect or demolish. Words have the ability to physically, emotionally, and spiritually deliver life or death. It’s not magical, It’s a matter of cause and effect.
- Physically: Words may provide life via encouragement or a gentle and appropriate warning. For example A person may provide hope to a suicidal individual, a doctor may counsel lifesaving surgery, or a severe weather notice may advise what measures to take.
A judge’s or jury’s words have the ability to give or take life. These comments have greater weight than whether the individual is guilty or not.
Hateful words or words said in fury or anger might result in physical death.
- Emotionally: What we say has a significant effect on the emotions of others.
A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life, But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit (Proverbs 15:4, AMP).
Some wound as they speak, like swords; but the tongues of the wise heal (Proverbs 12:18, BST).
A person with a broken spirit has a wounded soul inside of them. Traumatized souls essentially die because they are unable to express their feelings. Words that carry life can bring dead emotions back to life through healing.
- Spiritually: Jesus came to give us life — abundant and eternal life.
The thief comes only that he might steal and might kill and might destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly (John 10:10).
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent (John 17:3).
These words can either bring about spiritual life or death.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved (Romans 10:9-10).
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life (1 John 5:11-12).
You Can Choose
Life and death have always been a matter of decision. God has always given people the option to choose between life and death.
He placed the trees of life and the knowledge of good and evil in the middle of the Garden of Eden, where people may choose between life and death.
Before Moses led the children of Israel into the Promised Land, they were given the option of choosing between life or death.
See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction (Deuteronomy 30:15).
When Israel was besiege by the Babylonians Jeremiah was sent to offer the choice between life and death.
Tell all the people, “This is what the LORD says: Take your choice of life or death!” (Jeremiah 21:8).
The power of your tongue is ruled by your choice. Humans are the only creation of God that have the ability to choose their words.
That, however, can be tough to perfect.
But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison (James 3:8).
If this is correct, where did the option go? It is still present. God has shown us how to choose life and control our tongues.
How to Choose Life
Jesus teaches us how to choose life and control our tongues. He is the way, the truth, and the life, as well as the word come to life.
He taught us that the best way to control our tongues is to pay attention to what is going on in our hearts. Although Jesus is rebuking religious leaders in Matthew, the truth is revealed once again in Luke.
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say (Matthew 12:33).
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart (Luke 6:45).
Being filled with him brings vitality to our hearts. In addition, James and Paul instruct us on how to place the appropriate things in our hearts.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (Colossians 3:16).
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you (James 1:19-21).
Through the Holy Spirit, God also helps us choose life and bridle our mouth.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you (John 14:26).
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).
But you, dear friends, must continue to build your most holy faith for your own benefit. Furthermore, continue to pray in the Holy Spirit. Remain in God’s love as you look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, which brings eternal life (Jude 20-21).
In Conclusion: The power of the mouth determines life and death, and we may choose to speak life.
God bless you.