Our scripture for the Daily Devotional today is taken from Proverbs 18:16-24. The words spoken can either bring blessing or cursing. The word of God came and died on the cross so that we would all have life.
“A gift opens the way
and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
18 Casting the lot settles disputes
and keeps strong opponents apart.
19 A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city;
disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;
with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
21 The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds what is good
and receives favor from the Lord.
23 The poor plead for mercy,
but the rich answer harshly.
Words are the fruit of our hearts
That saying about sticks and stones and how words won’t hurt us, is certainly not a very truthful statement. The universe was created on the foundations of God’s words. If just the words can bring forth creation and life, then I subscribe to the Proverb rather. “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Jesus spoke to the origins of sin as opposed to the actual sin. Sin starts within our mind and heart, and as it gains strength, it influences the words spoken. Once we convince ourselves that the sin is not all that bad, we willingly run toward the sin.
We should rather be speaking words of love and life not only over ourselves but toward everyone else. Let us be convicted of the thoughts and words that we have so that we can avoid sin.
Let’s Pray
Dear Father,
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen