Proverbs 18:21 states that “life and death are in the power of the tongue.” What does this mean? This proverb is telling us that our words have the power to bring both life and death, depending on how we use them.
It is a reminder that we should be mindful of what we say. The words we choose can either lift someone up or bring them down. Words can be a source of encouragement, hope, and strength, or they can be used to hurt, discourage, and destroy.
It is our responsibility to choose our words wisely. Our words have the power to shape our lives and the lives of those around us. By choosing our words carefully, we can use them to bring life and not death.
Explanation of Proverbs 18:21 “life and death are in the power of the tongue”
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and whoever loves it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21
Words are serious business. As believers, we need to consider how to use them seriously. We need to start putting them to work for us as God does. The Bible says that God uses words to call “things that are not as though they were” (Romans 4:17).
Most of us don’t have the faintest idea how to do that. We have spent our lives “telling it like it is.” We have constantly used our mouths to report the sorry state of things around us. Thus, the very thought of calling “things that are not as if they were” seems a bit far-fetched.
“You mean I’m supposed to say,? I’m healthy? when I feel sick? Am I supposed to say: I have prosperity? when I’m broke? I think he would be lying.”
Nerd. There is a big difference between lying and speaking on faith. The lie is said with the intention of deceiving someone, of making them believe something that is not true. But speaking by faith is simply saying words that agree with the Word of God, not with the circumstances around you. It is speaking with your spirit, not with your mind.
As the apostle, Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:13, “And in keeping with what is written: “I believed, therefore I have spoken,” we who have the same spirit of faith also believe and therefore speak, ”
Some people speak the words but don’t have the faith to back them up, and as a result, they fail in their spiritual lives. They did not call “things that are not as though they were” but called them what they wanted them to be.
These are two very different aspects. The words can be the same. But just wishing and hoping will not accomplish the task. You have to “believe.” Start today to put your mouth and heart in harmony with the Word. Stop “telling it like it is” and start speaking and believing God’s promises. Put the power of words to work for you.
Key Parts of Proverbs 18:21 life and death are in the power of the tongue
1 “The tongue….”
Like a muscle, the tongue isn’t as capable of producing force as a leg or even the jaw, but its power is measured by the damage it can do and the life it can bring. In any translation, the tongue is mentioned well over a hundred times in the Bible. We should take great care with the words we produce.
2 “…has the power of life and death,”
One way that Jesus is revealed is as the Word made flesh. Words themselves are powerful. God spoke the world into being, saying death and judgment in the fall. As his image-bearers, humans also have power in their words. It takes dishes to bless someone, a powerful and life-giving act, and it takes words to curse someone, bringing death. An unbridled tongue can be damaging through lies, gossip, profanity, and venting anger.
3 “and those who love it will eat of its fruit.”
And this could be seen as those who enjoy talking a lot. It could also refer to those who respect the power of the tongue. But the former is more likely because even those who do not respect the power of the tongue will eat the bitter fruit produced by talking. Long before one’s character has developed for the better, a person can avoid a world of trouble by minding his tongue, difficult though this may be (Pr 21:23).
ALSO READ:
- 3 ways to recognize The Power of God’s love in your life
- What Is The Life Of A True Christian Like?
- The Armor of God prayer for protection
life and death are in the power of the tongue bible verse translation
NIV
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
NLT
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
ESV
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
BSB
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
KJV
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
NKJV
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
NASB
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
NASB 1995
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
NASB 1977
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Amplified Bible
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.
CSB
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
HCSB
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
AMV
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
ABE
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and he that loves it will eat from its fruit.
PST
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.
CEV
Words can bring death or life! Talk too much, and you will eat everything you say.
DRB
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it shall eat the fruits thereof.
ERV
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
GNT
What you say can preserve life or destroy it, so you must accept the consequences of your words.
GWT
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words.
ISV
The power of the tongue is life and death— those who love to talk will eat what it produces.
JPS Tanakh 1917
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And they that indulge it shall eat the fruit thereof.
LSV
Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.
NET Bible
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit.
NHEB
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
World English Bible
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
YLTV
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.
Conclusion:
In the book of Proverbs, the Bible speaks on the power of words and how life and death are both in the power of the tongue.
Proverbs 18:21 states, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” This proverb is a warning to be mindful of what we say and how it can impact our lives.
It is a reminder that words are powerful and can have a lasting effect on our lives and the lives of those around us.
In this blog post above, we will explore the meaning behind this proverb and how it can help us think more carefully about our words. Kindly use the share button to share with friends and loved ones.
