Winning with Words

Proverbs 18:20-21 CSB “From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

James 3:8 CSB “but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

If no one can tame the tongue, why does James spend a chapter talking about it, and why does Proverbs, the book of wisdom, continually bring up the words we speak?  If we only rely on our means, we won’t be able to tame the tongue. But when we submit to God and discipline ourselves (Jas. 4:7; 1 Cor. 9:27), we can tame the tongue and use our words for good.

Proverbs 10:11, 19-21 KJV “The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. 19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise 20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. 21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.”

Proverbs 15:1-2 KJV “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.”

Proverbs 16:23-24 KJV “The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”

Proverbs 21:23 AMPC “ He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from troubles. [Prov. 12:13; 13:3; 18:21; Jas. 3:2].

Psalm 19:12-14 KJV “Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”

Psalm 119:171-172 KJV “My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. 172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.”

Matthew 5:21-22 AMPC “You have heard that it was said to the men of old, You shall not kill, and whoever kills shall be liable to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the court. 22 But I say to you that everyone who continues to be angry with his brother or harbors malice (enmity of heart) against him shall be liable to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the court; and whoever speaks contemptuously and insultingly to his brother shall be liable to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, You cursed fool! [You empty-headed idiot!] shall be liable to and unable to escape the hell (Gehenna) of fire.”

From these few Scriptures alone, we can see why the enemy tries so hard to get us to speak negatively about others and even ourselves. Notice, in Matthew chapter five, Jesus brings murder back to its origin, uncontrolled anger. How does that anger become uncontrolled? By not controlling our words.

Rabbi Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman quotes the Midrash that says, “for each moment in which a person refrains from speaking the forbidden, he merits a hidden light that no angel can fathom. Note that the Midrash does not speak of refraining from forbidden speech for a month, a week, or an hour – but for only a moment! Scripture states: “If you will seek it like silver and hunt for it like hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of HASHEM, and knowledge of God you will find” (Mishlei/Proverbs 2:4-5).”

– Chofetz Chaim: A Lesson A Day, pg. 61, ArtScroll Mesorah Publications, 1995

This quote gives us encouragement in our endeavor to speak the right words. We won’t change overnight. Going from speaking negatively to being positive will take time. That’s why I am going through the devotional quoted above and reading The Power of Your Words by Gossett and Kenyon. We can only retrain our words, not a day at a time, but moment by moment. When we slip up, we repent, ask forgiveness from someone, and continue to put a guard on our mouths and season our words with salt.

Another thing you may find helpful is to write verses on index cards that you can review daily, renewing your mind and your mouth to the promises in the Word of God. Meditate on Proverbs and Psalms. Find verses that speak well over your health instead of always talking about how bad you feel or how much you hurt.

Proverbs 18:21 in the New Living Translation says, “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Today is the day you can start bringing forth life by speaking the Word of God over your situation, speaking good words, and reaping the blessing of God.