The Life and Death of Words

Proverbs 18 warns us that our mouths can bring life or they can bring death. I’ve been challenged a lot lately to break down my thoughts that I might discern what is really in my heart. I’ve been accused of sowing seeds of discord within the church by challenging perspectives on modesty, idolatry, authority, childrearing, and health.

We are to be messengers of life both by encouraging one another in righteousness and by obliterating deception (Heb 4:12-13, Ps 149:4-6, Eph 4:25). Seeking out truth IS love (2 Th 2:10). Proverbs 18:2 says, “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion” but Proverbs 27:17 says that “Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another”.

To run around batting down everyone who says something inaccurate isn’t bringing life at all, nobody will hear a bully who is screaming at them (or, often, a stranger on the interwebs telling them that they are wrong). When we bring truth, our goal must be to bring life out of love and concern for the other person, not to prove our point or making ourselves feel good. We are required to proclaim truth and we should do so in such a way that is effective, useful, uplifting and encouraging to one another.

So, to that end, what are your favorite verses that encourage you to seek out peace and offer kindness? I’ve stumbled upon these over the last couple days and have been so blessed by the reminder…

“Gracious words are like a honeycomb,

sweetness to the soul and health to the body” – Proverbs 16:24

“Turn away from evil and do good;seek peace and pursue it.” -Psalm 34:14

“Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.” -Proverbs 3:3