I recently listened to a message by Andy Byrd titled The Power of the Tongue. What follows are some of the notes and thoughts I came away with.
Plant trees of life or crush the human spirit.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4
Think on it: a moment in life when you stepped out, took a chance, did something scary, and you were criticized for it. Maybe you did something, and your motives were condemned. Words spoken to you years ago, you remember – and it still crushes your spirit.
Now think of a time when a parent, teacher, mentor or someone in your life spoke a blessing. “You did that really well! You are talented in… You are amazing!” Life. Someone planted a tree of life. Decades later, you are still feeding off that tree of life. Those words are precious to you. Held close. Meaningful. Life-giving.
Words matter.
Every conversation is either releasing life or releasing death. There is no third option.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue.
Proverbs 18:21a
Speaking life doesn’t have to do with agreement of one’s actions, but with the value of the individual. We understand that every human being is made in the image of God. This is what we bring to life: one’s value. Planting a tree of life.
The words of the reckless pierce like swords but the words of the wise is healing. Truthful lips endure forever but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
Proverbs 12:18-19 NIV
Planting trees of life: Gratitude.
Part of the honor of humanity is to face difficulty with gratitude.
Gratitude is the #1 thing that combats discontent, gossip, selfishness and hatred. Gratitude is the verbal cue telling our brain that: “It’s not all about me.”
We often undo through gossip and complaining what we accomplish in prayer and/or spiritual warfare.
Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18
In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God!
Everything. Not some things. Or most things.
Everything. In everything give thanks.
You want to be in the will of God? Start giving thanks for everything.
Our choice of words matters. How we respond to others reflects our wisdom or its lack thereof.
What comes out of your lips, feeds your soul. Or crushes the spirit. Understand how self-talk affects you. What you say about yourself is a tree of life or crushing to the spirit.
Choose gratitude. Speak words that heal.
Plant trees of life all over this world!
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:4