“LIFE AND DEATH IS IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE”

In my life I have learned many things that have caused me to stop and say, “Aauugh” to life.  But of all the things that I’ve learned…I must say that “Life and Death is in the power of the tongue” is probably one of the more difficult hurdles that I have had to overcome as a Christian. 

I remember when I first heard that expression.  I thought, “Well, I don’t curse anymore so I should be OK.”  And then the Holy Spirit began to quicken my spirit that maybe things weren’t all “OK.”  I began to search the Word of God for scriptures that pointed out the tongue.  I was amazed to discover how many there were. The one that dropped conviction in my heart the most is found in Psalms 45:1&2. “ My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.  You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever.” (Italics & underlining are mine.)

I began to really wonder what “My tongue is the pen of a ready writer” meant. After praying to God about this verse, I realized what it meant to me.  If my mouth is used throughout the day for anything other than the words of edifying one another and loving one another, then my tongue was not that tongue that is spoken of in Psalms 45:1&2. In other words, James 3:11 asks us. “Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring”? The answer to that question is, “No!”

As Christians we are scrutinized in a different way than the rest of the world. We are watched closer, and our failures are marked down in permanent ink, when we are seen or heard saying or doing something “Non-Christian.”  According to Psalms 18:21, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

After looking into this it made me stop and reflect about when Jesus commanded us to go unto all the world to preach this Gospel.  He didn’t say that to just Pastors, or Chaplains, or Clergy, or the wives thereof…He was talking to “all Christians”.

We, as Christians, have this awesome job of spreading the Gospel and we must be careful to speak words of love and edification to ALL people, believers and non-believers alike.  It’s sad to say, but a lot of the times, it is easier to speak this way to the outside world and forget that God was talking of our own loved ones as well. We must exercise our tongue at home as well as the outside world. God is watching all of the time. 

I have read that one day all of us will be judged for our lives. I pray that during that judgment that it is noted that “My tongue is the pen of a ready writer” and that God is pleased with the words that came from this temple spoken of in 1 Corinthians 6:19 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?”

With this awesome responsibility of preaching the Gospel, let’s come unto the Father with an open heart to let His words flow from our mouths. If we continuously seek Him, His Kingdom and His Righteousness, then all of these things will be added unto us according to Matthew 6:34.

Sherri L. Long