Life and Death is in the tongue.

Here is a poem on the immense, God-given power of our words, for both life and death.

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The Power of the Tongue

A tiny spark can set a forest burning, A smallest rudder turns a massive ship. And with a word,the human heart is turning, From grace-filled spring to bitter,barren grip.

Life and death are in the tongue's own power, A truth unveiled in every single hour. To bless,to build, to heal a broken soul, Or speak a curse that makes a spirit whole…unraveled.

It can be poison, sharp and serpent-quick, A crushing blow,a cruel and cunning trick. It spreads a darkness nothing can appease, And murders hope on any gentle breeze.

Or it can be a fountain, fresh and clear, A word in season,driving out all fear. A tree of life,with fruit that satisfies, That lifts the weary heart up to the skies.

So set a guard, O Lord, upon my lip, A seal upon this ever-ready ship. Let every word that I have power to speak, Bring life to weary,humble, and the meek.

May it be seasoned, purified by grace, To see the image in each human face. For by my words I’ll be justified, And by them,too, my truest self is cried.

Let life alone flow from this well within, To conquer death,and silence every sin.

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The Scripture at the Heart (Proverbs 18:21)

The poem is built upon the stark and powerful wisdom of:

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. (Proverbs 18:21, ESV)

This central truth is supported by other scriptures that elaborate on the power of our words:

· James 3:5-6 (The Spark): "Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body."

· Proverbs 12:18 (The Sword vs. Healing): "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

· Proverbs 15:4 (The Tree of Life): "A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit."

· Ephesians 4:29 (The Standard): "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

The poem is a prayerful meditation on this great responsibility and a plea for God to harness the tongue, a powerful but unstable force, and use it solely as an instrument of His life.