The word of God says: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (Proverbs 18:21). This one verse has many far reaching implications. The very unity of the body of Christ depends upon how we respond to it.
It is amazing how many Christians have become experts on all facets of the Bible. We give our opinions on everything and sadly often criticize and complain on all subjects under the sun.
Yet we are often slow to realize our own shortcomings and that we must take the beam out of our own eye before we can examine the speck in our brother’s eye. For many of us we may say we know the Bible but our actions often betray the fact that we know it only in theory.
Examine yourself to see how much time you spend on complaining and criticizing others verses rejoicing, giving thanks, and praising God. Honestly put a percent on each of these areas. My friends the Bible says that we should: “Rejoice always.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16). Two verses later we read: “In everything give thanks…” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). And the psalmist also adds: “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1).
There are, however, no verses which say we should complain or criticize; especially to other brothers and sisters in the Lord. But the Bible does say: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (Proverbs 18:21) and “From the same mouth comes both blessing and cursing…” (James 3:10).
100% of our time should be spent on living, walking, and loving in the spirit. And zero percent on complaining on how bad things are or how this or that isn’t fair.
Before we talk about the implications of (Proverbs 18:21) I would like to make a few observations on why I feel many American Christians have been beaten down by Satan and bought so many of his lies.
First of all, we enjoy freedom beyond belief, the highest standard of living in the world, and conveniences that would have been thought impossible fifty years ago.
Yet, instead of praising God for these enormous blessings many of us complain about what we don’t have while hundreds of millions don’t even have food to eat on a regular basis. How shameful it is that many of us, instead of being ambassadors for Christ, have become complainers for Christ.
Second, the Apostle Paul tells us: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4:8). When we focus our attention away from this injunction and towards our own selfish attitudes we are in violation of God’s sincere desire for us.
And finally, many of us say things or state facts in a complaining or criticizing way and then defend ourselves by saying we are only telling the truth. There is a fine line here but the Scriptures give us an acid test. (1 Chronicles 28:9) says: “…For the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts…”
If our motive for saying something negative or critical is to invoke prayer for someone, to spread vital knowledge that will help brothers and sisters unite, or to ask for advice, then maybe God will bless it. However, if there are any motives such as gossip, envy, jealousy, idle talk, or peer pressure to conform to what everybody else is doing – then God says it is sin. But what about death and life and the power of the tongue?
In tomorrow’s devotion we will address the implications of (Proverbs 18:21).
Ahmen!