“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” – Proverbs 18:21
Life
“And God said, ‘Let there be light.'” The first recorded spoken words. God spoke light into existence and saw that it was good. For six days God spoke creation into existence and it was good. On the fifth day, God spoke living creatures into existence and for the first time, we have the record of a blessing, “and God blessed them, saying, ‘be fruitful and multiply.. ‘ The climax of God’s creation was day six, the creation of man. Created in His image. Blessed. Given dominion over the rest of the living creation. Commanded to subdue it. God was pleased with His creation. Everything was very good. But there was one little thing man couldn’t subdue. His tongue. When God breathed life into man He gave him the ability to communicate. A Divine gift with dangerous potentials. Especially when combined with a “free” will.
Death
“He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say…?'” The first recorded words of death. Along comes the great deceiver getting Eve to question the words of God. You know the story. Adam and Eve disobeyed God. No longer was everything very good. Not only did death accompany disobedience (a nice word for sin) but so did shame. Adam and Eve were exposed. Adam blamed God and Eve blamed Satan. Dangerous thing that tongue. God rested one day out of seven, perhaps we would be wise to do the same with our tongue, give it a “Sabbath” rest.
Chaos
How quick was man to “speak” death? Cain spoke to Abel, deceiving him out into the field where he killed him. The voice of Abel’s blood was heard by God and Cain was cursed. Before we even get out of Genesis chapter four we have the recorded boast of Lamech. What does he boast about? Killing a man. How proud is man? In Genesis chapter 11 men gathered together and decided to make a city and a tower. What they really wanted was to make a name for themselves. What did God think of their plan? “Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.” Think about that closely. God didn’t want a temple reaching heaven, he wanted the praise of man reaching Heaven. Men didn’t want to praise God, they wanted the praise of their fellow man. Since praise didn’t ascend, God descended. If you can’t use your speech properly I will confuse it. If you can’t worship corporately, you will be dispersed.
Instruction
To be created in the image of God is a great privilege. The gift of communication that comes with it is a great responsibility. The Bible is full of commands and instructions regarding how we use our tongue. We know we are not supposed to slander, gossip, lie, boast, etc. How serious is God? Speaking disrespectfully of your parents could get you stoned to death. Jesus tells us in Matthew chapter 12 that we will give an account of every careless word we speak. Scary.
Death and LIFE are in the power of the tongue. The world is inundated with “death” speakers; ours is the privilege of speaking life. Indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we can impart life to a dying world. Instead of degrading, we should encourage. Instead of cursing, bless. Instead of complaining, praise. We can speak compassionate words to those in sorrow. When the world is cruel, we can show the kindness of Christ. The world hears enough boasting, a dash of humility might speak volumes.
Speak Life
James chapter three has some very powerful words about the tongue. No one can tame it. If one could he would be perfect. The tongue is set on fire by hell. Our only hope is the author and finisher of our faith. He was perfect. He controlled His tongue. He can help us with ours. When He spoke He spoke Life. When the Holy Spirit descended (God came down again) at Pentecost tongues of fire appeared on the members of the newborn church and the ability to speak “life” was unleashed. The curse of Babel was reversed as men of different languages now heard “one speech.” Unity results from Life. Let’s not allow Satan to set our tongues on fire from hell. Let’s submit to the flame that descended from Heaven. Don’t speak death, speak Life. When God gave you a tongue, He gave you a will to choose how to use it. God spoke life into existence, may we speak Life into His creation.
“Let your speech always be gracious..” – Colossians 4:6a
“And all spoke well of Him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from His mouth..” – Luke 4:22