Life Giving Words

Proverbs 10:11, 21a
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

The lips of the righteous nourish many.


The mouth is such a small thing, really, in comparison to the rest of our parts, but it can be such an evil, hurtful thing - difficult to tame, the mouth is. Yet, it is so important that we really take notice of what we say. Do our words bring life? Do they nourish, build up, encourage, and show the love of Christ? Or do they bring pain and death, do they malnourish, tear down, discourage, and show malice? We would be very wise to take note of such things.

I think the most interesting part about our spiteful mouths is that the people we tend to bite the most with our words are the very ones that are closest to us. We try our best to be polite to strangers, co-workers, friends, etc. and yet our spouse gets poison from the tips of our tongues. Why is that? Do we feel that because they are our spouse, or child, or sister, or parent, that they can "handle the truth"? That they can deal with our grumpy days, because that is what they "signed on for"? Truth doesn’t have to be poisonous, you know. Truth should be a gem, a gentle turning that allows the person to correct themselves and head in the right direction. And while they may have "signed on for" all of it, grumpy days and all, it doesn’t mean they deserve it. When we allow our words to bite, we simply tear them down bit-by-bit, piece-by-piece. Perhaps they have spiteful mouths as well. The best way to combat it is with love, and encouragement, not come-backs, and cut-downs.

Take a look at all your relationships. Perhaps starting with God, then your spouse, then your children, siblings, parents, even close friends, look at the quality of your relationship. I know it would be so easy to point the finger at them, but that in and of itself should be a red-flag to us. Why are we so ready to pour the fault on them? If a relationship does not flourish, perhaps we should first look in the mirror, to make sure that the fault does not lie with us, even partially.

Let’s take a challenge together. If we can see a relationship that needs mending, one that is not flourishing in the way we would hope, let’s check the mirror. If there is any inkling that perhaps it could be our words, words that are not encouraging, and life-giving, then let’s decide here and now that we will love that person by showing them Christ’s never-ending, life-changing love through our words. Let’s show them the same courtesy and forgiveness we show the check-out lady who messes up our change. Be patient, it may take time. Years of damage cannot be restored with a few simple words of kindness. It could take days, weeks, even months. It's a change not only in the way we speak, but the way we think, and behave toward the person. But if we keep at it, allowing Christ to work in and through us, we will begin to see a change - a change we never thought possible in that person. They will begin to respond to our words, and become the person Christ has in mind for them to be in the relationship. We will probably even find that their words will begin to change, and they will begin to speak in gentler, more loving tones, as well. The relationship will flourish once again, and we will be able to see the life-giving power of Christ in our words.