21 The tongue can bring death or life;
Those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
We recently purchased a one-year subscription to PureFlix. It is a Christian-based platform dedicated to family Christian movies and shows. Great idea. We have watched some very good movies and some not so good. We say not so good because the acting and/or the script is not the best. We also find shows like The Chosen that open up a new world to us about the humanity of Jesus and the disciples. Boil it all down, we like entertainment, good entertainment. No one likes to watch a crappy movie that has bad acting and a poor script. So, the search goes on for more great, entertaining shows like Boy Meets World and so on.
We love good acting because it is believable. My wife is a great actor and storyteller. It is a gift from the Lord, and when she gets going, she captures a room. The room that is captured by her stories is amazing to watch. They are like schools of fish just waiting at the top of the water for the food to be sprinkled into the water. She has captured every fiber of attention and holds it in her hand, almost playing with it and them, toying around, taking the crowd down the path she lays. This entertainment can have a striking effect on everyone who listens, wanting more great entertainment. In a way, we love it. We eat the fruit of entertainment every time we sit to watch a show. If we have not seen any great movies, we are, in a way, hungry for more.
If life and death are in the power of the tongue, have you ever wondered what your words leave behind? Every day, we open our mouths and speak into a battlefield of would-be listeners. Are we speaking life or death? Either way, we will eat the fruit of what we say.
The Bible says that no man can tame the tongue (James 3:8). If that is so, what are we left with? Realizing that our mouths can get us into more problems than we want to get into is a good start. Verse 13 says, “To answer before listening, that is folly and shame.”
Today, take a moment to quietly, without words, take an inventory of your tongue. Last week, the Bible told us not to use profanity. Well, this week, the Bible reminds us to use our tongue for life. Do not get caught up in opinions and “I think” idle chatter. Rather, listen and ask the Holy Spirit to give you the words.
When Jesus sent the disciples out, he told them that the Holy Spirit would speak for them. Eating the fruit of your tongue happens as soon as you open your mouth. As the Holy Spirit is reminding me to clean up what I have spoken, I pray that your speech will be inspired by the Lord and that it will be life to those who hear it.
Prayer: Father, I pray my mouth is used only for your glory. I pray that I will do away with idle chatter and the “I think-ism” of life. Rather, I want to open my mouth and use your wisdom and honor you with every word. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Let It Go 
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