Speak Life

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” [Pro 18:21 NKJV]

Did you know that one of the best ways to speak life into any situation or heart is to speak truth? Particularly, God’s truth. No, I am NOT talking about any word-of-faith-type theological ball of tangled yarn. I am simply saying that if you want to lend light and wisdom to a situation, or encourage someone to walk in faith and godliness, speak God’s truth. Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are Spirit, and they are life.” [Jhn 6:63]

There is a reason why we call God’s Word the gospel truth. It is inspired by the only real source of spiritual truth. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. [John 14:6] He bore witness to the truth. [John 18:37] Even Jesus’ name is Faithful and True. [Rev 19:11]

So, how could we try to apply this today? I know for me, I tend to be an encourager, so speaking truth to someone who is a little down or in a stressful situation comes easy to me. I want to help them feel better. Which is a noble goal, a good goal if we are reminding them of the Lord’s complete faithfulness to them when they might be feeling overwhelmed or unloved. But sometimes, maybe helping someone feel better is not always the best goal, because when the other person needs to hear something a little unpleasant, I hesitate. My goal should not be to make the person feel good, but DO good. Now, I can see myself getting into all sorts of disappointment when MY goal is not getting met. I think the Lord wants me to challenge a person or gently rebuke them if needed, with humility and love. The scripture says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” [Pro 27:6 ESV] God’s love should motivate us to speak truth, even if it hurts a wee bit to hear it.

Think about it. Jesus’ goal in all His teaching was to give people the right thought then move them to right action:

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? “Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: “He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. “But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.” [Luk 6:46-49 NKJV]

Should we not take our cue from our loving Lord? Even when Jesus did encourage His disciples, His long-term goal was not to make them just feel good, but more so to see the fruit of His wisdom walked out in their lives, to be faithful to the end.