Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
In the year 1866, a brilliant scientist by the name of Alfred Nobel created an extraordinary compound: dynamite. His initial purpose in creating this compound was to speed up progress in building railroads and roadways through difficult terrain. It was an exciting time, for with the invention of dynamite, people would be able to travel faster, farther, and with greater convenience. This compound was developed to be a tool of transformation and progress.
However, just as with most powerful creations in the hands of man, the potential for dynamite was not used only for good. Some people saw the explosive power as something to be used to destroy life. The same compound that was used to develop railways and highways was also used to wage war, destroy communities, and take lives. Dynamite became a symbol of the dual potential that is determined by the hands of those who hold it. A tool that could be used for creation or destruction.
Much like dynamite, there is a powerful tool all of us carry with us every day. It's not found in a box, it was not created in a lab, and it does not require a special license to carry. The tongue is a small instrument found in our mouths. This little member of our body is much like dynamite; it has a potential that is so profound that most of us struggle to grasp it. The Bible says that our words, just like dynamite, have the capacity to give life or tear it down, to create joy or to create suffering.
Think about how God created the world. He formed our world with His words. In the book of Genesis, it says that God spoke our world into existence. His words are the ultimate creative force that brings life, structure, and freedom from chaos. “Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light” (Genesis 1:3, CSB). This is a poignant illustration of the power of words. The simple fact that God chose to use words to create illustrates for us the power of our words.
Only a few chapters later in Genesis, chapter three, we find a starkly contrasting scenario. The serpent used his words to deceive Eve, leading to the fall of man and Adam and Eve forfeiting their Kingdom authority to Satan. Words, when used with ill intent, brought about the far-reaching disaster of sin, leaving a once perfect world in disarray.
The first three chapters of Genesis serve as a striking reminder of the dual power we hold within our tongues. Our words are much like dynamite. And their impact comes down to how we choose to use them. I encourage you today, dear reader, to be conscious of the potential power that is found within your words. You were created in the image of God, and for those of us who are positioned in Christ Jesus, we should use our words to uplift, encourage, and illuminate, not as tools of darkness and destruction. Remember, the power of your words is like dynamite in your dentures; use them carefully.
Ephesians 4:29
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.