Proverbs 15:4 You have heard the phrase, “Divide and conquer.” When there is division of any kind that disturbs unity, we are much more vulnerable to the enemy. The enemy does not have to use mighty weapons against us in order to divide us. Instead, he uses the mightiest member of our body, our own tongue, to divide and conquer. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. James tells us the tongue is like the rudder on a ship and the bit in a horse’s mouth; this tiny member of our body has the power to control our whole body.
A person’s tongue also can affect his spirit. This proverb tells us that “a wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” When we are perverse in our speech, we can cause a division in our spirit. It is called a divided heart. Some meanings for the word perverse are “crooked, wicked, false, froward, rash, rebellious” just to name a few.
You’ve also heard the expression, “He speaks with a forked tongue.” This means a person’s tongue is divided. Whenever we lie, are rash, rebellious or froward, we are speaking with a “forked tongue.” Our words not only can cause division in the lives of others, but also in our own lives.
One of my callings is to minister to the brokenhearted, and almost every brokenhearted person I counsel has had perverse words spoken over them. These perverse words have caused a division in their heart, and they have a continual battle with walking in a straight path with the Lord. When these word curses are broken over their lives, these brokenhearted people are healed.
A wholesome tongue gives life to others and to us. A wholesome tongue is a tongue that has the law of kindness upon it. We are to speak blessings, not curses, to others. Today make it your goal to only allow words that edify to come out of your mouth. Use your tongue today to glorify, extol and praise the Lord and to praise and edify others. Let the words you speak be words to build up, not to tear down; to unify, not to divide. Don’t allow the devil to walk on the red carpet of your tongue today and use your tongue against yourself and others.
Lord, help me to speak only those things that will bring life to others. You have the words of life, and let me speak them boldly today.
READ: 1 Samuel 12:1-13:23; John 7:1-30; Psalm 108:1-13; Proverbs 15:4
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