From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is filled. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. ~Proverbs 18:20-21
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. ~1 Peter 4:11
Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked. A person reaps what he or she sows. The one who sows to please the sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction. The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will receive eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing well; for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ~Galatians 6:7-9
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” This is the key to understanding the verse that precedes it. Some people do seem to love being destructive with their words, speaking harshly, vindictive, overly critical. But those who do love speaking that way will one day reap what they have sown, and they will eat that bitter fruit. I think the sense of, “With the harvest of his lips he will be satisfied is: “You asked for it!”
It is far better for us to remember that though “The tongue has the power of life and death,” dead things cannot grow good fruit, only live things can. Only a tongue that gives life can bear fruit that is worth harvesting and filling our stomachs. So, Peter describes what a fruitful mouth should say: “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.”
It would be an interesting challenge for us to run everything we say through the filter of, “Would Jesus say this, this way, at this time?” If we could only remember to ask ourselves that more often, our language would probably become more fruitful almost immediately. We probably already have a pretty good idea of how Jesus conversed with others while on this earth. He was known for words of encouragement and blessing. He was willing to be challenging with the truth. He did stand firm, and he was willing to let people walk away. Yet, they still came to Him because they knew that what He had to say was worth listening too.
When we can speak like that, we speak life into people’s souls, nourishing fruit that blesses the hearer. “with the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.” What is his harvest? “A person reaps what is sown.” “We will reap a harvest.” When we sow life into others, we reap life in return and that is satisfying in the fullest.
We have visited this theme many times concerning the power of our tongue. We forget that our words can be as powerful to others as words that we have heard are powerful in our lives. We need to remember how it felt to be put down or unfairly criticized or gossiped about and determine not to visit that anguish on others. We also will benefit from remembering how it feels to be noticed, to be complimented, praised or recognized in some other way for our efforts. That feeling is what we should want to share with others so that we can be satisfied with the harvest we have sown.
Prayer: Oh Father, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Let me sow gospel seeds! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Song: Speak Life
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