Power of Words

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those that love it will eat its fruit.
This morning I am reminded of the power of our words. They are so powerful they can bring life or they can bring death. Our words produce fruit; both good and bad. Often it produces both in the same day, perhaps the same hour.
James 3:9-10 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness...My brother's, this should not be.
Indeed this should not be!
James 4 asks What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but you don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.
So what do we do...what do we not do?
Check you motives-John:4. Listen before answering-Proverbs 18-13. Give a gentle answer-Proverbs 15:1. Speak truth- Proverbs 12:19. Drop a matter before a dispute breaks out-Proverbs 17:14 Guard your lips- Proverbs 13:3. Do things without complaining-Phillipians 2:14.
Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, slander, curses, lies, harsh words, gossip, coarse joking, obcenities...instead build each other up, be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4 29-5:4, Proverbs 12:22
I want my words to encourage, bless, give life, build-up and bear good fruit! How about you?