Words Matter

Proverbs 18:21 - "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (NIV)

Do you remember the one negative criticism made to you rather than the twenty encouraging comments?  My memory is that of an elephant when it comes to remembering the criticism or put-down thrust at me.  Yet, I often forget the words of encouragement sent my way.

Words are so powerful ("the power of life and death").  Words can encourage or words can destroy.  We actually choose whether we will use words to build up or tear down - encourage or discourage.

We need to ask ourselves if our words to someone today will be the negative comment they remember or will our words lift up and encourage someone in need of a kind word?  We make the choice.  In James 1:26 we find some very powerful and poignant words concerning the tongue.  "If anyone considers himself to be religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."

Today, let us choose to keep a tight reign on our tongue and use it to bless someone with an uplifting and encouraging word.

"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." (Proverbs 25:11)