Proverbs 18:21 says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

It is true.  Death and life are in the power of the tongue.  But what does this mean to us?  Well, it means this.  What you say is important.  In fact, what you say is so important that much of the Bible, God’s Word, is devoted to teaching us what to say.

In the book of James in chapter 3 the Bible compares the tongue to the rudder of a large ship. Although a ship may be large and driven by fierce winds, it is turned by a very small rudder.  This is the way the tongue is.  It may be a small part of our body, but what you say with your mouth can enhance or destroy your life. 

Most Christians have no idea how their words are affecting their lives.  Words can either be words of faith – words that confirm the Word of God, or words of doubt – words that destroy faith.  The choice is yours.  Your mouth is connected to your head, not someone else’s.  You have no one to blame for what you say other than yourself.  Think of it this way.  Your life and your death are in the power of your tongue.

In Romans 10:9 the Bible says, “If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”  Notice it says that we are to confess Jesus with our mouth.  It doesn’t say to think in our minds.  It says to confess with your mouth, in other words, say with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.

Jesus said in Mark 11:23, “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says.”

Jesus said to say to the mountain, be cast in the sea.  He didn’t say think to the mountain.  He didn’t say believe in your heart and that will be enough.  He said to believe in your heart and say with your mouth and then you will see the mountain moved.

A man once told me that he didn’t have to ask Jesus for anything verbally.  He said he had been a Christian for so many years that Jesus just knew his heart.  Well, that sounds good, but it’s not scriptural.  All through God’s Word we are reminded that what we confess with our mouths can shape the world around us.

Think of your words as containers.  When they are released from your mouth, they contain faith or they contain doubt.  Remember, they are your words and you are responsible for them.

Proverbs 6:2 says we are snared by the words of our mouth.  This simply means that you are responsible for your words.  You have a choice.  With your words you can curse and you can bless.