One of my most quoted verses in the Bible has to be Proverbs 18:21. It says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (ESV). On average, each person speaks over 12,000 words per day. The words we choose matter. However, as I began thinking about this verse more, I think it is also important for us to consider who we let speak into our life. Others have the power To bring death or life to us. We’ve all had someone say something to us at one point in our life that stayed in our mind and affected our decisions. Just because someone speaks something over us or to us, doesn’t mean we have to receive it.
In 1 Samuel 16, the prophet Samuel was looking to anoint the next king of Israel. He went to Jesse’s house to find him. Jesse lined up all his sons, but the prophet didn’t find the next king. When he asked, Jesse brought in David, Samuel acknowledged David was the next king. However, in the next chapter, David’s brothers, who were present when he was anointed, saw him at the battlefield bringing them food from home. Then Goliath steps out and David begins asking questions. Eliab, the oldest brother, heard David and said, “I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!” (NLT) David rejected the lies from his brother spoken over him, but received the words from Samuel. Because of that, he was not only able to face Goliath, but to defeat him as well.
Another verse in Proverbs I quote often is Proverbs 13:20. It says, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (ESV). Wise people speak wise words to and over people. Fools are always tearing each other down. They speak whatever comes into their mind and say ugly things to people for a laugh. Who are you hanging around, and who are you letting speak into your life? It makes a difference in whether you will stand up and fight giants or cower and run. You will always have people who try to tear you down or speak lies over you. Like David, you have the power to reject those words and find someone else to be around. Your words matter too. Speak wisdom and blessings to people, and wise people will also want to be around you.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
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Devotions by Chris Hendrix 
These are helpful thoughts. Thank you, Chris. For some reason, the passage from the book of James, about being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry came to mind. I’m guessing the connection is the fact that listening and observing more allows us to better tell the good from the bad in interpersonal relationships.
It’s amazing the quality content you are able to provide daily. I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m saying it again: your quality and consistency stands out, Chris.
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