THE DEATH TRAP
PROVERBS 18:6-7, 21 NKJV
6 A fool's lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calls for blows.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
We tend to overlook the importance of our words. The scriptures take the opposite approach. There is a serious warning in these three verses.
Proverbs is not polite when it refers to a foolish person. Typically Proverbs cuts right to the chase and calls that person a fool. I don't suggest you, and I follow that example
But in verses 7-8, we see that a fool's words create contention. And his words invite harm. We can understand that when we have said things that kicked over the proverbial hornet's nest. If we had stayed quiet, we could have avoided some interpersonal pain.
Then Proverbs goes one step further and declares that a fool's words are his destruction. That is serious. And a fool's words are a snare, a trap, to him.
We must remind ourselves that the Bible is a spiritual book. It reveals spiritual realities that are not always visible or tangible. Some would argue that words are no big deal. But all of us can look back on things we have said in the past and sense a deep regret. If I could do life over, I would not have said many hurtful, toxic, and contentious words.
Verse 21 has been my go-to verse for years. It underscores the importance of our words.
Words can be filled with life. Words that contain faith, love, peace, grace, and truth are words that can strengthen the hearer and strengthen the speaker.
But as we saw in verses 7-8, words can be destructive. Words that contain bitterness, anger, fear, and negativity are words of death. And they can harm the hearer and the speaker.
The great news is we have a choice. If you are having trouble speaking life, spend more time in God's word. His word can displace the fear and negative with faith and positive.
We can choose to let our mouth be a well of life or a death trap. Choose life.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me alter my words to bring life and hope to my situation and to those around me.