PROVERBS 18
19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,
and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing
and obtains favor from the Lord.
23 The poor use entreaties,
but the rich answer roughly.
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
– Proverbs 18:19-24
PROVERBS 18 THE POWER OF THE TONGUE
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
The tongue is a very small member in our body
And yet, it controls our whole being tremendously
Like a rudder to a ship, it guides the direction of large ships
Like a bit in the horses’ mouth, it brings them to obedience
Death and life are anchored in whatever comes from the tongue
It can bless and build up someone, but it can also ridicule and destroy.
In the book of James, in chapter three, he gives us a picture of the power of the tongue. He compares it to a fire where even with such a small fire, it can put a great forest to ablaze. He says that it is set among other parts of the body, but it can set on fire the entire course of our lives. James also says that it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. He further tells us that any animal can be tamed, but no human tongue can be controlled. No wonder we have been warned to guard our mouth by the Lord himself.
REFLECTION
- How do you think a man can control his tongue if the bible says that it is untameable?
PROVERBS 18
19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,
and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing
and obtains favor from the Lord.
23 The poor use entreaties,
but the rich answer roughly.
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
– Proverbs 18:19-24
PROVERBS 18 THE POWER OF THE TONGUE
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
The tongue is a very small member in our body
And yet, it controls our whole being tremendously
Like a rudder to a ship, it guides the direction of large ships
Like a bit in the horses’ mouth, it brings them to obedience
Death and life are anchored in whatever comes from the tongue
It can bless and build up someone, but it can also ridicule and destroy.
In the book of James, in chapter three, he gives us a picture of the power of the tongue. He compares it to a fire where even with such a small fire, it can put a great forest to ablaze. He says that it is set among other parts of the body, but it can set on fire the entire course of our lives. James also says that it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. He further tells us that any animal can be tamed, but no human tongue can be controlled. No wonder we have been warned to guard our mouth by the Lord himself.
REFLECTION
- How do you think a man can control his tongue if the bible says that it is untameable?
