Bringing Clarity to Proverbs 18:21 (Part Two)

King Solomon teaches, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21). But do our tongues possess the power of death and life? Or—perhaps a better question is—what does that even mean? Biblically, “the power of the tongue” refers to the influence words have on relationships, reputations, emotions, and personal outcomes, rather than the power to manifest physical objects or reality. It signifies that words can “destroy” (discourage) or “give life” (encourage), influencing and impacting our lives and others, but only God has the power to call things into existence. Believers are instructed to pray and ask God according to His will, rather than demanding things into existence through “creative” speech. The Proverbs are wisdom literature, not magic. Proverbs 18:21 is wisdom literature aimed at teaching the practical, ethical, and spiritual consequences of speech, not a formula for magic or manifestation. Be encouraged!

~Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., spiritually gifted Bible teacher