What impactful statements do you remember from years ago?

A man once said a quick, sarcastic comment during a conversation. He didn’t think much of it. It was just a joke.

The other man went quiet. Conversation moved on. The day continued.

Years later, he would still remember that moment.

Words have a way of staying.

We tend to think of them as small. Temporary. Gone as soon as they’re spoken. But Proverbs says otherwise. It tells us that our words carry weight — real weight. They do something. They produce something very significant.

Our words produce life or death.

That sounds strong, but if you’ve lived long enough, you’ve seen it.

• A harsh word spoken in anger that lingers in a marriage.
• An offhand comment, positive or negative, that shapes how a child sees themselves.
• A sentence of encouragement that someone carries with them for years.

Words don’t just pass through the air. They land somewhere.

That’s why wisdom pays attention to them.

Not in a tense, anxious way, as if we have to get every sentence perfect. Rather, the wise person is aware of what they are saying. They are thoughtful with their words. Wisdom slows things down just enough to recognize what’s happening in the moment.

“I’m about to respond. What will this do?”

Sometimes the wise thing is to hold back. Not every thought needs to be spoken. Not every reaction needs to be expressed.

Sometimes the wise thing is to speak. To encourage. To tell the truth. To say the thing that needs to be said with care and clarity.

Both matter.

And over time, those moments add up. They form patterns and shape relationships. Those words bear fruit…of life or death.

This reminds me of an interaction between Jesus and His disciples in the Gospel of John. Jesus had been teaching some things that were hard to hear. Many people who had been following Jesus left. Then, Jesus turned to His disciples and asked if they were going to leave to.

Peter responds,

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69)

God’s Word gives life. When we share God’s Word faithfully, we speak God’s words of life, eternal life.

So today, pay attention to your words.

• Notice if the words you are about to say may hurt or kill.
• Notice when you have the opportunity to encourage and speak life.
• Notice the small moments — because sometimes they aren’t as small as they seem.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”

That means your words matter.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

You hear every word I speak. You know how quickly they come and how often I don’t think before I speak. May I use my words to confess today. Please forgive me for the times my words have caused harm. Slow me down today. Give me wisdom in the moment — when to speak and when to be silent. Help me use my words to encourage, to tell the truth, and to reflect Your love and share Your Word. Let my words bear good fruit.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.