The Power of Our Words
Daily Devotion - August 12, 2025
Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
James 3:1-12 (NIV)
3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
The sermon highlighted how our words flow from the abundance of our hearts. These passages further illustrate the power of our speech - both to build up and to tear down. Consider the impact your words have had recently, both on others and on yourself. Have they been life-giving or destructive? Today, make a conscious effort to speak words of encouragement and truth. Pray for God's wisdom to guard your tongue and for the strength to use your words to glorify Him and edify others.
The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
James 3:1-12 (NIV)
3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
The sermon highlighted how our words flow from the abundance of our hearts. These passages further illustrate the power of our speech - both to build up and to tear down. Consider the impact your words have had recently, both on others and on yourself. Have they been life-giving or destructive? Today, make a conscious effort to speak words of encouragement and truth. Pray for God's wisdom to guard your tongue and for the strength to use your words to glorify Him and edify others.
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Aligning Our Thoughts with God's TruthThe Power of Our WordsChoosing the Better PartRenewing Our MindsHumility and a Christ-Like MindsetChosen for a PurposeOvercoming ObstaclesLiving With PurposeEmbracing Your GenerationBuilding on a Firm FoundationEmbracing BrokennessGod's Presence in our PainFrom Nothing to SomethingDying to SelfPreparing for Rain
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