What does it mean when Proverbs 18:21 says that there is power for life and death in the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruits?  Does that mean we are all going to eat tongue sandwiches? 

The words we speak are important.  We can use words for all kinds of things.   We can use them to build up and affirm another person, or we can use them to tear down and destroy.  A word spoken in anger to a child can scar him or her for life.  And much like toothpaste coming out of a tube, once its out, its out for good; you can't take those words back!

My friend Andrew came up to me very upset the other day.  He had been down at Sissy's in the junction for breakfast and heard some friends of my rival at the church talking.  They walked up to him and said; "So, I hear they finally got rid of that minister over there!  I heard he was useless, the worst minister ever; he refused to do anything!"  "Like what?" asked Andy.  "He never shoveled snow or cut the grass or anything!"  Andy wanted to know what to say.  "Tell them; a) The minister is there to preach the gospel and administer the sacrements and the church, not cut the lawn and shovel snow; 2) I did those things, I just never asked for credit for them, and; d) Why are people speaking about me, ruining my reputation with lies to you, who aren't even church members?   That sounds like defamation of character" I replied.

Part of me would like to take my defamer to court to silence her.  But, the other part of me is waiting for what the proverb calls her chance to eat the fruits of the tongue.  What goes around comes around.  If  you use your tongue for good, to spread the gospel, or to build others up, good will come to you.  If you use it for death, you will reap death from it!  Be careful little mouth what you say!

Everybody go to church somewhere this morning!  I'll see you at MRC next Sunday when I will stand and say goodbye and give my side of things.