“A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life, But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit.”

Proverbs 15:4 AMP

Our verse today reminds us of the impact our words can have in any given situation. This verse of course is focusing on our daily interactions with each other. King Solomon opens with the using the description “a soothing tongue.” This soothing is an interesting word, et-mar-pe that has the meaning of creating a “healing state; a peaceful state; or a state lacking weakness or disease.” In the book of Jerimiah, after the judgement of God on the people for their rejection, we read these words,

“Behold, [in the restored Jerusalem] I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them; and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace (prosperity, security, stability) and truth.”

Jerimiah 33:6 AMP

We are also told that in the day God restores the people of God there will be peace and prosperity in the land once again and we will eat of the tree of life!

“He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant [the privilege] to eat [the fruit] from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.” 

Revelations 2:7 AMP

Notice that the words that we choose can have an impact on the situation. We can either build up with our words or tear down. God has given to us Words of life! The problems is that when we speak them, those who are choosing to walk in their own way and pride will become angry and begin to spout nonsensical verbiage! It is out of the weakness of their own argument that they resort to anger and violence. It is interesting that the word sooth is one meaning a state without disease. Sin is the disease that is raving the world today. God has presented to us the opportunity to speak words of life and break the hold of sin over our lives. That process results in the restoration of the life that Satan was trying to steal!

We are rightly told that the tongue of the wicked speaks “perverse” things. The word perverse here is from the root word meaning to “twist, pervert, overturn, or to ruin. In the book of Exodus, we read that a bribe can “ruin” the course of justice.

“You shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the testimony and the cause of the righteous.”

Exodus 23:8 AMP

This is why the believer is encouraged to study the Word of God. The enemy is constantly trying to subvert and pervert the Word of God. The Apostle Paul encouraged the believer,

“Husbands, love your wives [seek the highest good for her and surround her with a caring, unselfish love], just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26so that He might sanctify the church, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word [of God],” Ephesians 5:25-26 AMP

You see, we need to daily “wash” our minds from the lies and attack of the enemy. We must respond to the world with love and confidence that the Word of God is true and right. Remember that Jesus said,

“If anyone hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but to save the world.”

John 12:47 AMP

When we speak the words of life things happen! Heaven moves and the God of all eternity responds. Remember that when people spout hateful words it is because they have nothing left in defense of their stand. We however can rest assured we are standing on the immovable rock of God’s Word so no need to panic! Let me encourage you to choose your words carefully! They can bring either life or death and remember,

“A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.”

Proverbs 18:19 AMP

Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken