The Power of the Tongue

For Friday, July 21, 2006
Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Bad and good result from the power of speech; those who love speech will reap the consequences of how they use it. This proverb carries the weight of a warning to those who love to talk and those who skillfully use speech for bad ends. Sooner (usually) or later (for those who are skilled), you will eat the fruit of your wicked ends.

Over and again, the proverbs teach the power of the tongue for good and ill, and thus the necessity to exercise godly wisdom. Do not be quick to speak. Think before you do speak. Seek such a heart that the words which pour out of it will be good and true. Death and life are in the power of the tongue both for those who hear your words and you yourself.

Those of you who are given the gift of speech, such as teachers, trainers, preachers, and counselors, all the more you must use your gift wisely. For as you use your gift of speech, so your reward will be measured out to you, good or ill. The same holds true for anyone in a position of authority over others - parent over child, teacher over student, supervisor over employee, elder over church member. Your speech carries power for death or life. A momentary comment can lift up the spirits of a person that he will never forget; it can also tear him down and be a bitter memory.

Such power should humble us and lead us each day to pray for wisdom to use our tongues wisely and for good, and for mercy for the times we misuse them. Such power should lead us to the wise words of truth found in Scripture. For it is there that all words spring from and lead us to the life that is in Christ.

Fruit of the Mouth

For Thursday, July 20, 2006
Proverbs 18:20

From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

This is assuming that the fruit is good. When our speech produces good fruit by blessing others and conveying wisdom and knowledge, then we receive blessing, as when satisfied by a good, healthy meal. Conversely, when our speech stirs up trouble and offense, we will experience our own "stomach aches."

To delve deeper, Jesus pointed out that it is what comes out of a man that defiles him. Thus, the fruit of a man's mouth does not spring from the mouth but from the heart. Most of what we say, we say without conscious thought. We merely react with our mouths to what we see or hear. Those reactions will reflect the condition of our hearts. Do we speak carelessly often causing offense? Do we speak foolishly? Do we find ourselves having to apologize regularly for offending others, even though we really don't understand what all the fuss is about?

Good fruit ultimately reflects good soil. Give attention to the soil in your heart that you might bear good fruit in your mouth and be satisfied.

Breaking Through Bars

For Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Proverbs 18:19

A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,
and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

The closer a relationship the deeper an offense is felt. It may or may not be easier to offend a brother, but when he is offended the wound goes deep, as is the witness of many, many family divisions. The offense only goes deeper and the brother more unyielding when the offender tries to argue his case which ends up in quarreling.

How to break through the city wall and the castle bars? Here are practical steps to take: First, listen. Take the time to hear out the offended brother. Ask good questions that help you understand what he is saying and how and why he feels the way he does. Don't be satisfied until you are able to articulate to his satisfaction his side and feelings.

That's about it. You will be amazed at how easily your brother's defense system comes down when he believes you really understand him. Because he is your brother (or sister), he wants resolution and reconciliation. But he cannot bring down his defenses until he knows you understand him and that you will not attack once he brings them down.

It sounds too simple, but you will be surprised at how effective it is. The reason? You are having to put down your attack weapons and your own defenses in order to listen well. You are having to make changes in yourself. And the best chance of our brother making the changes we think he needs to make is when he sees us making our own for his sake.

Casting the Lot

For Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Proverbs 18:18

The lot puts an end to quarrels
and decides between powerful contenders.

It is interesting how the casting of lots or drawing straws or flipping coins settle matters that could produce controversy or are already controversial. Rival teams let a coin flip decide who gets the ball first; kids arguing over who has to take the worse job will meekly accept the result of drawing the shortest straw. There is an odd sense of fairness to committing a decision to chance. That is when there is no clear reason for choosing one side or person over the other. Or sometimes simply to avoid the ill will that choosing will cause.

There is some kind of resignation to a "higher" decision through committing decisions to "chance." All the more then, Christians ought to accept the seemingly random events that result in pleasant and unpleasant consequences. We are to accept our lots as coming from the Lord to be used for his purposes for his glory and our good. Scripture is not teaching us to cast lots to make our decisions, but it is teaching us to accept the consequences of all decisions, however random they may seem, as God working out his purposes.

Instead of wallowing in self-pity or anger over "bad luck," we should be exploring how God wants us to live for his glory. Instead of swelling with pride over our "good luck," we should be moved to humility and exploring how God wants us to live for his glory. What matters in life is not so much what lot we get, but what we do with whatever lot is ours. Whether we get heads or tails, the short straw or the long straw, what matters is what we do in the circumstance. And what we do will ultimately lie in our confidence in God's sovereignty and goodness. And our confidence will ultimately lie in how much we treasure Jesus Christ and the grace shown to us through him.