You possess THE POWER OF LIFE AND DEATH

Over 150 times in Proverbs it talks about our lips, our tongue, our words.

2 Reasons Words are Important:

• Volume - we speak enough words each year to fill 66 x 500 page books!
• Value - the content of what we speak can either tear down or build up.

‘The tongue has the POWER of Life and Death’ - Proverbs 18:21 

LIFE means substance, that which strengthens and sustains. 

This verse is saying YOUR TONGUE HAS THE ABILITY TO DRAIN the Life out of someone or SUSTAIN and bring STRENGTH.

"My words can drain them or sustain them!" 

POWER means within one's ability.

PRACTICAL WAYS TO SPEAK LIFE:

1. Speak THOUGHTFULLY – THINK BEFORE WE SPEAK

‘The godly think before speaking; the wicked spout evil words’ – Prov. 15:28 

THINK means to meditate on what to answer. 

‘May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD…’ - Psalm 19: 14

• Our THINKING affects our SPEAKING
• Our SPEAKING affects our LIVING
• Our LIVING affects our DESTINY

2. Speak CAREFULLY - Watch Every Word

‘Those who control their tongue will have a long life…’ – Prov. 13: 3 

CONTROL means to guard, to keep a close watch on the effects.

3. Speak SPARINGLY – Holding our tongue

‘When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise’ – Prov. 10: 19

HOLD means restrain, keep in check, use sparingly. 

Our words are like toothpaste that's out of the tube... once they're out, it's virtually impossible to get them back in!

You cannot blame what you say on a bad day!

'Nothing I say today is going to teach me anything... so I'd better listen!' - Larry King

4. Speak ENCOURAGINGLY - Build Up, Don’t Tear Down

‘The godly speak words that are helpful…’ – Prov. 10:32

Sometimes we've got to delay what we say and find another way!

5. Speak PLEASANTLY – Words That Bless

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones - Prov. 16:24

PLEASANT means words full of grace , kindness, blessing.