Good morning people who use your tongue to release life and blessing to others.

As we have seen, the Book of Proverbs repeats some key truths, and this is done deliberately by God. May today’s reminder and instruction be another layer of truth upon our lives.

Proverbs 15:1-2 MEV A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright, but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.

Proverbs 15:4 MEV A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it crushes the spirit.

Our words release either life or death. Middle ground doesn’t really exist when it comes to our words.

I see the picture of a person approaching a small fire. In one hand, they carry a bucket of water, and in the other hand, they carry a bucket of petrol. Pouring out one bucket can extinguish the fire, while the other bucket contains the power to stir it up.

So it is with our words.

Do our words turn away anger, or do they stir up anger?

One of the keys to using our words more rightly is to shift the focus from whether the other person deserves them or not. Let’s be honest, we have all been on the receiving end of words that have caused us great hurt. Think about how you felt. Think about how you might still feel.

Now, let’s reverse that and think about the truth that we have all been on the speaking end of words that have caused hurt to others. It can be devastating to them. And a simple sorry from us does not undo all of the pain.

Therefore, whether on the receiving end or the speaking end of hurtful words, let’s all learn together to be more Christlike in the words that we choose to release over people. May the water of God’s Spirit flow from us in Jesus’ name.