Making proper use of the tongue

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” Proverbs 18:21

A direct translation of this verse from the Portuguese, WBPT Brazilian Portuguese NT Bible would be “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who use it well will eat its fruit.

I believe you must have heard several times someone say that the word has power. Yes, and amazing how people do not give much importance to this fact. With words we can build or destroy. When the Bible refers to death it can be discourage, contamination of negative ideas, or negativity. And when it speaks of Life it can be motivate, cheer, teach, rebuke, edify, or save a person. Words can be poisonous or nutritious. There are several examples in the Bible of proper and improper use of the words. I want to cite an example where there is word of death and life.

The Bible in Book of Numbers, talks about 12 men sent by Moses to spy the land of Canaan. And after 40 days they were back with their report.

Think about this, the children of God are waiting for 40 days anxious to here the good news about the land that flows milk and honey. They gather together to hear the report the spies are bringing.

Negative report

1-Fear and impotence- “Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong…” Num13: 28

2- Inferiority complex - “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we” Num13:31

3-Contamination of negativity- And they gave the children of Israel a bad report…” Num13:32

4- Weakness and low self-esteem –“… and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight” Num13:33

Can you imagine the impact of those words? Well Bible says that the congregation lifted up their voices, cried and wept all night. They complained and were full of fear. Num14:1-2

They had just eaten the poisonous words.

Positive report

This was from Joshua and Caleb, 2 of the 12 Men sent to spy;

1-Audacity, encouragement - Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said “let’s go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it” Num13:30

2- Motivation – “...The land we passed thorough to spy out is an exceedingly good land.” Num14:7

3-Teaching and admonishing- “If the Lord Delights in us, than he will bring us into this land and give it to us…” Num14:8

What kind of words are you spreading? 

 “Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!” James3:5