“Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Prov 18:21)
We all know it, but we rarely stop to think before we speak. The tongue is powerful. With it, James said, we can bless God and curse men. Our speech today can lift people up, bringing life, or tear them down, bringing death. It can bring life or death to others and to us.
THE SOURCE
Jesus said in Matthew 12:34 that “the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.” Whatever is in your heart will ultimately come out of your mouth. If there is bitterness within, angry, harsh words come out. If there is kindness, your words will bless others.
This is why 3 things are essential:
Can you imagine what would happen today if all of us simply did these three things and that every word that came from our mouths today was “good for edification, fit for the need of the moment, and gave grace to those who hear?” (Ephesians 4:29)
In each generation there are wicked rulers leading nations to do wicked things, oppressing those around them with senseless violence and evil. Hitler had his day and Stalin, and now Putin as he ravages Ukraine.
Where is God in all of this? The small, one-chapter book of Obadiah gives us the answer: God will always, ultimately judge wicked men nations. Justice wins the day. Notice God’s word through Obadiah to the wicked nation of Edom. No nation that ignores God will escape His judgment.
