The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. – Proverbs 18:21
The harsh reality can be found in NBC contributor, Dr. Michele Borba’s research, which states that kids hear 18 negative statements for every one positive. Or 65% of Americans reported receiving no recognition for good work in the past year. This is not how God has designed us to communicate.
But words can also, and should also, bring life. How many of us can recall the words someone spoke that pushed us past something we were dealing with, encouraged us, sparked creativity, or gave us confidence?
Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death. – Proverbs 26:18
Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.
If You Think It, And It’s Positive, Say It.
Proverbs talks multiple times about the timing of our words. In this verse, Solomon is saying that the right thing said at the right time can provide people with nourishment.
How often do we have a positive thought about someone – something we’re grateful for, something we noticed, something we’re proud of, and we think it, but we never say it?
If you think it, and it’s positive, say it. Text it, write it, speak it, make the call.
Don’t keep encouragement locked up in your head. Don’t starve the people around you of life-giving words.
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. – Proverbs 25:15
Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.
The Right Thing Said In The Wrong Way Makes It The Wrong Thing.
Solomon is saying that sometimes the key is what we say is how we say it. The tone of our words can sometimes be as or more important than the words we say!
Our tone determines whether your words end up giving someone life or robbing them of it.
We must remember to be mindful of how we say what you say and take responsibility for making our words hearable.
We must be careful, whatever we declared to others