The Power of the Tongue
J. G. Dowling, M. A. Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. The faculty of speech is one of the very highest faculties with which we have been endowed. Great is its value to man as an intelligent and social being, and great is the weight of responsibility which is implied by the impression of it. Yet the Hebrew sage appears to have exceeded the fair limit allowable even to hyperbole when he says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." Yet there is nothing but what is strictly accurate in this sentence. Literally the words are, "Death and life are in the hand of the tongue." The author represents this faculty as a living thing — as the arbiter of good and ill, as the disposer of human fortune. I. SEE THE TRUTH OF THE TEXT IN ITS APPLICATION TO THE PRESENT LIFE. As a maxim of common prudence the words deserve attention. There are some persons who never speak well of others. And fatal often is their cruel activity. Reverse the picture, and see happiness smiling about the man who speaks of others in the language of justice, and gentleness, and charity. Wherever he can he will bear his testimony to the integrity and good character of others. But our proverb does not merely apply to extreme cases, such as these. When a man speaks in mere thoughtlessness, there may be those hearing him on whom his very random words may be falling as a balm, or as a poison If we set any value upon the happiness and comfort of others, it becomes us to set a watch over our mouth. What we say is a most important influence on our own condition in this world, because our condition is greatly affected by what others think of us, and we know full well that it is not easy to struggle against the difficulties created by a bad character. The estimation in which we are held is very greatly affected by our words. II. SEE THE TRUTH OF THE TEXT IN ITS BEARING UPON OUR SPIRITUAL CONDITION. Spiritual death is the frequent and melancholy effect of the impious efforts of some men's tongues. But life, too, is in the power of the tongue. The cause of God has never been without its noble band of witnesses. Important, however, as may be the effects of what we say on others, they cannot be greater than they are upon ourselves. A word may determine our condition for ever. Prayers, praises, and holy conversation, cannot be in vain — nor can curses, and railing, and idle talk, be in vain. It is greatly to be feared that we may find much that is amiss in ourselves, when we press our consciences with the question, Have we acted as those who believed that death and life are in the power of the tongue? (J. G. Dowling, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. WEB: Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.