Speak Life or Death?

   Which do we you do? The words we use can bring life to the people listening or reading. They can also bring death. Who is listening? Who is reading? When I look out at a group of people, I can see some of the mix. Some are men, some are women. I can see ages. I can’t see their past or current circumstances. I can’t see into their heart. It is even more difficult as a writer. I can’t see my audience at all, let alone see into their heart or know their life experiences or circumstances. What I say or write will impact, but what impact will I have?  Will I hurt or help?

  When I read Proverbs 18:21, “The tongue has the power of life and death,” I read Mathew 12: 36-37 that everyone will have “to give an account on the day of judgement for every careless word we have spoken,” “for by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned.”  Yikes!  Our words are serious business. 

  Think back in your life, can you recall positive words from someone that stayed with you and had a positive lifelong impact? Can you recall negative words that had a negative life long impact?  I can recall both. For me the negative took some serious effort with professional help, in adulthood, to undo and effort is still required. The positive and encouraging words, many years later, still influence my stronger personality traits. As adults, we can reca ...