Good morning people who speak words that release life in others.

Proverbs 10:11 MEV The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

Your words matter. My words matter. Words matter.

The word well means something dug, and it also means a source.

The Bible says that the mouth – denoting the words spoken (and at times, the words not spoken when silence is required) – of a righteous person are a well of life; they are a source of life. Think about this for a moment.

Our words are not neutral. Our words form things and shape things. Our words release life (or death). Our words are to be a well of life to all those around us.

And notice that the word well literally means something dug. In other words, a well is not automatically just there. It doesn’t just appear without effort, time and focus. We need to pay careful attention to our words. We need to cultivate wise and healthy and life-giving words.

I encourage you to read through and slowly meditate on James 3 today. The tongue is a powerful force for good or for evil. Our words matter.

Today, pay attention to your words. Stop and consider what is about to come out of your mouth, and as you do, reflect on these questions:

Can you honestly imagine Jesus saying what you are about to say?

Is your motivation based in love for God and people, or is it based in self and your feelings?

I pray we are all a well of life to others today by the words that we speak.