Notes:  

“With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:20–21  

We are taught in Proverbs 18:20–21:

1.     The Tongue Has the Power to Kill  

“The words of the reckless pierce like sword” —Proverbs 12:18 NIV  

James 3: The tongue is like a rudder and a flame  

Proverbs 10:19—It’s better to remain quiet    

2.     The Tongue Has the Power to Revive

• The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life. Prov. 10:4

• The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life. Prov 13:14

• The tongue of the wise brings healing. Prov 12:8

• Proverbs 15  

3.     The Tongue Has the Power to Control Our Experience

“With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.” v. 20

• Stomach = innermost being, heart, mind  

Springboard to Jesus’s Teaching in Matthew 27:33–36 33 

“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” —Matthew 12:33–36 

Jesus makes the teaching even more pointed: Our words will acquit or condemn us.  

Application:

Feed our hearts and mind with good nourishment: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Faithfulness, Kindness, Gentleness, Goodness, and Self-control  

Correct your way with powerful words to God and to those whom you have offended: “I… Am… Sorry”