I am posting this later than I usually do. I got to the office at 5:00 as I normally do and all the power was out-all the businesses, stoplights, etc. So I went back home until I called the business next to us and she said they had full power. I apologize for being late.

I have written often about our speech and the power of the tongue. I think we all know of that danger. While I had another idea percolating in my head this morning, I was overwhelmed by what I found in Proverbs 18. I’ll write the Scripture out for you here in order to make it easier, but I’d like to suggest that you read your own Bible and highlight the following verses:

“Wise words are like deep water; wisdom blows from the wise like a bubbling brook.” (verse 4)

“Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.” (verse 6

“The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips.” (verse 7)

“Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.” (verse 8)  {Note: we all know how rumors get passed on}

“Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.” (verse 13)

“Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.” (verse 20)

“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” (verse 21)

“The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults.” (verse 23)

And then to top if off I also read from Matthew 12 this morning: “For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” (verses 34-37)

That just closes the book on the seriousness of our words. Listen up! Be careful today (and always) of the words you say.

{All Scripture from the New Living Translation}