Life and Death in Our Tongue

How many times have we said, “I don’t know how we’re going to

make it” or “I guess we are always going to struggle”? Perhaps we

have even said, “There’s no cure for this disease, the doctors say

there’s nothing they can do.” Statements like these reflect death

because there is nothing positive in these or in similar statements.

Nothing alive or bringing forth hope. A better way to think would be,

“Things are tight this week, but God will provide.” Also, in the

statement, “There’s no cure for this disease and the doctors say

there’s nothing they can do” could be replaced by “By His stripes we

are healed.”

Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the

tongue.” So, we need to watch the words which come out of our

mouths. Instead of, “Things will never work out” how about, “With

man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible,” which is

what Matthew 19:26 tells us. Also, according to Matthew 6:30 we

don’t have to worry about not having enough because “God will

clothe and feed us.”

We have the power each day to choose what we’re going to say

and what we are going to believe. Either we believe God’s word and

receive it for our lives, or we don’t, and based on that we must make

a choice whether we will act on what we see and feel. The Bible

warns us not to be “double minded” which means saying, “Ok Lord,

you take this situation and handle it,” and then we take it back and

worry, and speak “death” words concerning it. What needs to come

out of our mouths instead should be words of life. Why would we

want to say out loud what Satan’s plan for us is? He only wants us in

poverty, full of sickness and not to have any hope. He wants us to

believe that. Why give him any satisfaction when we have the hope of

the Lord living inside of us?

The words that come out of our mouths daily should only be

God’s word despite the situation we’re facing or what we’re feeling at

the time, and not live by what we see even if it is negative.

II Corinthians 5:7 tells us, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

So, let’s purpose not to go along with what we see, think or feel, but

only by what God’s promises are for, and that is life!

What About You?

1. What inner attitudes come out through your words?

2. How can surrendering your thoughts to God influence your

speech?

From Gods Garden Tools by Gina Burns