The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 NLT
In the 1960s, there was a TV game show called Truth or Consequences. There were different hosts over the years, but I remember Bob Barker from The Price is Right fame. The game's goal was for the contestant to answer a trivia question correctly (truth); if they didn't (which was often and on purpose), they had to perform some silly stunt.
Of course, this was meant to be funny and entertaining, but as the proverb from today suggests, our words have consequences–good or bad. When said unthinkingly or in anger–the power of death–the result is division, broken trust, and hurt. Consequences that require acknowledging our wrongness, asking forgiveness, followed by healing. But that same tongue can speak words of life, bringing positive consequences. Our words of kindness and encouragement can uplift people and bring them joy. There are never negative consequences in speaking life.
Barker would end each show with the catchphrase, "Hoping all your consequences are happy ones." So may we rule our tongues to speak only life and pleasing results.
Precious and loving Father, we confess, at times, we speak what we shouldn't. Instead of lifting people up, we tear them down. In our thoughtlessness and anger, we've created division. In our lapses, we have brought death to our families and endings to relationships. Forgive us those times, and help us to admit our error and seek forgiveness from those we've harmed. Lord, help us to use our tongue to bring happy consequences, speaking with the love of Christ. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
