September 2, 2011

Proverbs 18:9-24 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Luke 20:27-40, Hebrews 1:10-14, Isaiah 3-4

Journal Entry

Scripture

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21a).

Observation

The author speaks of the power of the tongue to either tear down or build up a person.

Although the verse doesn’t articulate what constitutes destructive words, they would certainly include slander (by lying, gossiping, spreading rumors), coarse joking, insensitive talk, profanity, verbal abuse, just to name a few. They destroy trust, kill enthusiasm, impact self-esteem, cause spiritual stumbling, and divide families, friendships, and churches.

On the other hand, well chosen words can motivate, offer hope, create vision, impact thinking, alter results, inspire, and encourage. They can build up a person and offer life.

Application

For the application, I am tempted to simply say, “I choose to use the power of my tongue to give life,” as if it were merely a matter of external behavior. But, in his teaching, Jesus identifies the source of ungodly talk to be internal, a matter of the heart – “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person” (Matthew 15:18).

Yes, I do have to be mindful of my speech, but I have to move my focus away from mere externals to the source of the problem—my heart. Why? Because Jesus’ words show me that my true defilement before God comes from what is already “inside” of me. My mouth is simply an indicator of what is in my heart. The reason I use my tongue to hurt and destroy is because there is something awfully wrong inside of me.

This perspective takes destructive speech out of the realm of something that I can fix in my own power. Instead, it puts me in the position of having to cry out to God for His saving grace—pleading that He would deliver me from my sin, and make me pure in His sight. And, this is what I intend to do today, that I might harness the power of my tongue to give life.

Prayer

Father, thank you for reminding me how potent my tongue is. Forgive me for the careless ways that I have used my words and I pray healing upon those whom I have I hurt. I know that I have to change on the inside before I can be changed on the outside, so I ask you to transform, shape, and mold me into the express image of your Son, Jesus Christ. In His name I pray, amen.

--P. Michael