Can We Eat Our Own Words?

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18:21 NIV)

Proverbs 18:21 is one of my favorite scriptures. I’ve most often heard this scripture quoted by those who attempt to correct the negative, harmful things that we say out of our mouths. This scripture is also commonly used to caution us to be careful what we allow to come out of our mouths because our words possess power. The power of life and death does lie within our tongues. However, instead of focusing on the verbal assassinations some chose to commit with their mouths, I’d rather focus on the power of life that lies within our tongues.

But no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (James 3:8 NIV)

It is true that no man can tame his tongue however, that which is impossible by man is possible with God (Matthew 19:26). God came to do the impossible. Alone we are unable to tame our tongues but with Jesus Christ we can do anything (Philippians 4:13)including tame our tongues. Therefore, if we truly want to speak words that are pleasing to the Lord and ask God to help us we absolutely can control what we say.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.”

I don’t know who came up with that old cliché but it is so far from the truth. Words can hurt. They can tear down and destroy. But just as they can tear down and destroy, they can also edify and create. After all, the world and all of creation was formed by words. God highly values His word.

So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11NIV)

God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? (Numbers 23:19 NIV)

God will do what He said He will do. He is looking for us to place the same value on our word. God will receive anything we promise to Him one way or another (Deuteronomy 23:21 NIV). Why? Because God has already illustrated through His own actions how powerful the tongue is and wants us to regard our words as highly as He does His.

The earth was empty and dark. God said let there be light and there was light (Genesis 1:3). Lazarus was dead for three days. Jesus didn’t perform CPR or use any other physical means to resuscitate him He spoke to Lazarus and Lazarus arose(John 11). Remember when Jesus was on the cross and it was time for Him to give up the Ghost? He verbally commended His spirit into the hands of the Father(Luke 23:46).

According to the Word of God as written in Proverbs 18:21, we will eat the fruit of our tongues. Let’s use our words to build up instead of tearing down. We can rejoice in the promises of Proverbs 18:21 and at the prospect of eating the fruit of our words. Let us speak to one another in love, peace, joy, and patience so that we may eat and bear the Fruit of the Spirit.

Shanita Waters
By His Stripes We Are Healed, Author
www.waterplantgrowth.com