Most of us are fairly familiar with Proverbs 18:21. "The tongue has the power of life and death..." My impression of it has always been contrary to the old sticks and stones rhyme; what you say really does have the power to hurt someone (death) or build them up (life). Even when we allow that verse to have more meaning, we still might only consider its direct impact on others and not ourselves.
But
did you
know???
There is another half to that verse. It says "and those who love it will eat its fruit."
This addition might sound more like a do unto others; if you speak life about someone else then others will speak life about you. Or if you are careless, and/or use your words to hurt others, then they will come back to you the same way.
While some of that may be true, I'd like to suggest an even deeper meaning...
In 1 Samuel 18:8-10 an evil spirit enters Saul because of Saul's jealousy and anger over David. Because Saul allowed those thoughts, it opened a door for an evil spirit to torment him.
If that kind of damage enters because of our thoughts, how much more can we open ourselves to life and death by letting thoughts become more? Our verse in Proverbs 18:21 says those who love it will eat its fruit.
Well, I know many (self included) that love to talk but eat...?
To eat does not mean that we give to someone else, or wait to see if you can cover it up, or make it different later. It means to put inside. -That by letting our thoughts manifest into an action or a word, we will put something inside of our own bodies, soul, & spirit in that moment. Opening our mouth, opens us up as well.
In fact the verse immediately before it says From the fruit of their mouth a person's stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
In the same way that what you eat determines how well you nourish your body; your harvest of words will nourish your own soul.
Boy that is literally a lot to chew on. Bad-ump-bump!
So what does that look like in our day-to-day?
I can't remember where it came from but I once heard the statement that you can't complain and praise at the same time. Have you ever had a song stuck in your head....? Why not come up with a "go to song" to change your tune in the heat of the moment. The minute that a groan starts to take shape, recall the song and just start singing... Its okay if your don't know a "Praise" to sing. You can look for one. Until then, even singing "Old Mac Donald" would keep you from the groan. ...um, success! Until you learn a praise song. Or just say "Hallelujah" or "Jesus" over and over. After all, there is something about that name.
If scripture is a weapon why not speak that instead of gossip or possibilities or fears? Hebrews 4:12 says that "The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." I don't know about you but I'd like to be and occasionally need to be separated from some of my thoughts! If it will help me separate- YES PLEASE!
But what if we also tried a little role reversal and let the conversations with our friends stay in our mind while talking out loud to God instead? Or how about word reversal, if you need social activity; how about deliberately looking for someone to encourage, compliment or pray with regularly instead of just talking about the weather or the day.
Not to drag this list out but it appears that I'll be finishing this post on Thanksgiving. In honor of that, what if we said more than just "thanks". What if we were deliberate and intentional about who did what, why it was so significant and how that has left us for the better? In fact check out this video. Gosh, why can't we do this every day!?
Lastly, we tell ourselves that less is less but sometimes, it is truly more. Proverbs 17:28 says "Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues." Meditate on that and see where you might need to hold back a few words, even if they might not all be "bad" ones.
Because of that verse and this theme about the "fruit of words" I think this picture is the perfect finale. When I was a child my parents had fruit trees. I remember them removing buds and smaller fruit before it could fully mature; even when it looked completely healthy or was just beginning to bloom. Yet, this was done so that that the fruit remaining on the tree would become bigger, sweeter and even more nutritious. Not only is it better for the fruit that is produced; but too much fruit could actually damage the tree.
In both scenarios it is the fruit that can damage the body from which it came. Let us all meditate on this post. I hope the words really marry together in your heart and mind. What words might we keep or let go of; and how would doing so guard not only our health, but also our offering to others and to the Lord?
I hope this post is a blessing to you. Thank you so much for reading. I wish you safe travels and a beautiful day spent with those you love in celebration of ALL of the Lord's good works!
Closing Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, THANK YOU for yet another opportunity to be thankful not just for what we eat of the physical world but also for what is given in nourishment by spirit. Bless not only the fruit of the earth, but also the fruit of our mouths and of our hearts. Forgive us for overlooking the deceit in our tongues. Let even the most private places of our heart be a PLEASING offering to you. Teach us how to apply the "righteous" living that we all crave. Let us discover MORE of your power and glory in our day to day. Let us be awed in love for you and your people. -Then to propelled to give from the thankfulness that overflows within. We love you Lord. Thank you for your many blessings!
If you enjoyed this, you might also like 2 other timely links that I've come across this week.
photo credit - Thanks to my sweet, sweet Sophie. :)
If scripture is a weapon why not speak that instead of gossip or possibilities or fears? Hebrews 4:12 says that "The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." I don't know about you but I'd like to be and occasionally need to be separated from some of my thoughts! If it will help me separate- YES PLEASE!
But what if we also tried a little role reversal and let the conversations with our friends stay in our mind while talking out loud to God instead? Or how about word reversal, if you need social activity; how about deliberately looking for someone to encourage, compliment or pray with regularly instead of just talking about the weather or the day.
Not to drag this list out but it appears that I'll be finishing this post on Thanksgiving. In honor of that, what if we said more than just "thanks". What if we were deliberate and intentional about who did what, why it was so significant and how that has left us for the better? In fact check out this video. Gosh, why can't we do this every day!?
Lastly, we tell ourselves that less is less but sometimes, it is truly more. Proverbs 17:28 says "Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues." Meditate on that and see where you might need to hold back a few words, even if they might not all be "bad" ones.
Because of that verse and this theme about the "fruit of words" I think this picture is the perfect finale. When I was a child my parents had fruit trees. I remember them removing buds and smaller fruit before it could fully mature; even when it looked completely healthy or was just beginning to bloom. Yet, this was done so that that the fruit remaining on the tree would become bigger, sweeter and even more nutritious. Not only is it better for the fruit that is produced; but too much fruit could actually damage the tree.
In both scenarios it is the fruit that can damage the body from which it came. Let us all meditate on this post. I hope the words really marry together in your heart and mind. What words might we keep or let go of; and how would doing so guard not only our health, but also our offering to others and to the Lord?
I hope this post is a blessing to you. Thank you so much for reading. I wish you safe travels and a beautiful day spent with those you love in celebration of ALL of the Lord's good works!
Closing Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, THANK YOU for yet another opportunity to be thankful not just for what we eat of the physical world but also for what is given in nourishment by spirit. Bless not only the fruit of the earth, but also the fruit of our mouths and of our hearts. Forgive us for overlooking the deceit in our tongues. Let even the most private places of our heart be a PLEASING offering to you. Teach us how to apply the "righteous" living that we all crave. Let us discover MORE of your power and glory in our day to day. Let us be awed in love for you and your people. -Then to propelled to give from the thankfulness that overflows within. We love you Lord. Thank you for your many blessings!
If you enjoyed this, you might also like 2 other timely links that I've come across this week.
- A sermon on how Thankfulness opens us up to God (click the sermon from 11/23)
- An Article on the The 7 evils of a complaining spirit copied from a book, "The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment" by Jeremiah Burroughs
photo credit - Thanks to my sweet, sweet Sophie. :)
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