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Dear beloved in Christ, there is a profound truth revealed in the Word of God regarding the power resident in our words. As we seek to align ourselves with biblical truth, let us turn our attention to the instruction presented: "Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives, but those who open wide their lips come to ruin" (Proverbs 13:3, ESV). This principle is reiterated in Proverbs 18:21, which states, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits," and further confirmed by Proverbs 21:23: "Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble." These scriptures emphasize the potential of words to bring both life and death.
In order to grasp the richness of these passages, we must consider their origin. Attributed to King Solomon, these proverbs were penned as part of the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. Solomon, known for his God-given wisdom, was addressing the people of Israel with insights meant to guide everyday life. In the ancient world, where oral communication was central, the power of the spoken word was acutely understood. Israel was a covenant community under Yahweh, where the spoken vow and covenantal word were binding and carried immense power, reflecting the character of God Himself, who spoke creation into being with His words.
Let us examine the Hebrew term translated as "guard" in Proverbs 13:3 — the word is "שָׁמַר" (shamar). Its primary meaning is to keep, watch, or preserve. This deepens our understanding by illustrating not just a passive activity, but an active, vigilant guarding, akin to a sentinel on duty.
Similarly, the word "life" in Hebrew is "חַיִּים" (chaim), which encompasses not just existence, but a full, abundant, vibrant life in stark contrast to death. Thus, it is not merely about survival, but about flourishing under God's covenantal blessing.
The refrain "Watch your words, they hold power—life or death in what you say" aligns with the biblical principle that our words carry inherent authority. We are reminded of Genesis 1, where God spoke the universe into existence. In the Book of James, chapter 3:5-6, we are warned of the tongue's destructive potential — it can corrupt the whole person and set the course of one's life on fire.
"Guard your tongue, choose wisely—your words can build or break the day." This theme echoes Solomon’s wisdom, highlighting the constructive or destructive potential of our words. Proverbs 12:18 elaborates: "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
"The one who speaks too freely brings trouble on themselves, but careful words bring safety and keep your heart from harm." The wisdom here is profound. Reckless speech ties into the biblical principle of sowing and reaping; what we speak over situations, others, and ourselves is like sowing seeds that produce a harvest.
First, we must *immerse ourselves in scripture*. The wise speech is rooted in the Word of God. Jesus said in Matthew 12:34, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Therefore, filling our hearts and minds with scriptural truth enables us to speak life.
Second, we must *practice self-control through the Holy Spirit*. Galatians 5:22-23 lists self-control as a fruit of the Spirit. By yielding to the Spirit, we gain mastery over our impulses, including our speech.
Third, we must *intentionally speak life*. Proverbs 16:24 declares, "Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Make it a daily habit to speak blessings and encouragement.
Fourth, we must *confess and repent the misuse of our words*. James 5:16 encourages us to confess our sins to one another and pray for each other so that we may be healed. Let us continually ask the Lord to cleanse our speech.
Proclamation:
We align our confession with God's Word, declaring:
"I choose to guard my mouth and preserve my life. I will speak words that bring life, not death. My tongue shall declare the righteousness and peace of the Lord. I am empowered by the Holy Spirit to choose my words wisely, and they shall be a blessing to myself and others."
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that life and death are indeed in the power of the tongue. Teach us through Your Holy Spirit to guard our lips and speak truth seasoned with grace. May our words reflect Your holiness and bring glory to Your name. We repent of idle and harmful speech, and we ask for Your cleansing. Thank You for the gift of Your Word, which guides us into all truth. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
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