PROVERBS 18 v 21: Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eats its fruit.
OUR words can carry a lot of weight, for good or bad. Often they can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Maths is not an easy subject, but my experience at high school many years ago was less than great.
I can very clearly remember my Grade 9 teacher telling me “how can you be so stupid?”. It was often in front of the whole class.
To this day I have no idea why he picked on me. Admittedly, I was below average at the subject, but after that my marks fell off rapidly.
Maths class was a nightmare and the year-end couldn’t come fast enough for me to get out of his class.
In contrast, one of my sports coaches had quite the oppositie effect.
He presided over a team of Average Joes and helped us overachieve. We certainly played a lot better than our talent indicated.
Under his caring tutelage and constant encouragement, we believed that we could do what he felt we were capable of.
I actually think he was probably a little surprised at how well some unfancied players performed but he never let on.
I don’t remember any of the technical information either teacher passed on. What I do remember is that with very little effort, both left in my mind a lasting impression.
What do we do with our words? How do they affect others? It’s so easy to criticise, condemn and ridicule.
What’s interesting is that even in the above scripture, the word death is mentioned before life.
Perhaps it is because the writer knew that people are more inclined to speak ‘death’, as in negatively, as opposed to ‘life’, being positive.
How about yourself? How do you speak about yourself in front of others?
Are you constantly saying you can’t or running yourself down, saying you are not good enough?
If so, stop that immediately. The world is already trying to beat you down, no need for you to assist.
As a Christian, you are born again and your life is hidden in Christ.
He has redeemed and ransomed you from eternal death, and reconciled you to the Father.
With that in mind, speak well of others, speak life into every situation, and believe God will work out His purposes for you.
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