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
Devotions by Chris Hendrix 
Your Words Matter
When I was the general manager of a store, I had to handle upset customers almost every day. I learned that my response to their anger could either diffuse the situation or escalate it. Many times I said the wrong thing or used the wrong tone and it was like pouring gas on a fire. One person got so upset with me that they came behind the counter, out their finger in my face and said, “You better call 9-1-1, you’re going to need them!” It was a scary moment, but as I looked back, my response is what triggered that emotion in them.
Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. (NLT)” How we respond to others who are upset matters. Since the inventions of email, text messaging and social media, we have begun to say things to other people we never would have 15 years ago. We feel emboldened to say whatever comes to mind because we aren’t right in front of that person and in many cases we barely know them if at all. We escalate situations by our unfiltered, typed words instead of being worried if our conversation is leading them toward the cross or away from it.
I cringe as I read Christian’s comments on social media regarding the things of the world. I see escalated conversations by those who write with their emotions instead of having eternity in mind. Colossians 4:5-6 tells us, “Live wisely among those who are unbelievers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. (NLT)” The word gracious here means pleasant and winsome. We are to win others to the cross with our words not push them away.
Your words matter whether spoken or written. You have the opportunity to deflect an anger from those in the world or to dump fire on their anger. The world will never agree with the message of the cross because it stands opposed to the human way of life. It has been under attack for over 2,000 years and will continue to be under attack until the Lord returns. Jesus should be our model of how to respond. When the Romans crucified Jesus, his response wasn’t to argue with them. It was to forgive them. His response to an angry crowd who were killing him was, “Father forgive them.” He won over one guard who killed Him by how He responded.
I keep that in mind any time there is a flare up on social media between the world and the Church. If I don’t have the right response, I keep my comments to myself. Proverbs 17:28 says, “Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps his mouth shut.” If what I have to say doesn’t lead someone to the cross and instead pushes them away from it, I’d rather not say anything. We are to live wisely in a world of unbelievers. Our conversation should lead them to salvation. People are watching what you post and how you live. Are your words leading others to the cross or away from it? Your words matter.
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