🕊️ PRAY HERE DEVOTION 🕊️ “Thou Shall Not Kill With Your Lips”

Scripture: Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)

“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

Devotion: Do you remember the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”? That is one of the biggest lies I ever believed growing up. I understand what that phrase was meant to do, but experience taught me otherwise.

Proverbs 12:18 confirms the truth: WORDS CAN HURT; not only hurt, but murder.

I have witnessed and personally experienced the truth of both of today’s scriptures. Destructive and negative words have killed people’s character (reputation), opportunities, confidence, and spirit. Words have even led people to suicide, yes, FROM WORDS.

You may never pick up a gun to kill, but with your lips you may have gossiped and caused others to hate someone. With your words, you may have killed a person’s dreams, self-esteem, or sense of safety. Words can cause fear, trauma, and deep wounds that last for years.

For example, a positive, confident, ambitious person who is progressing in life enters a verbally abusive relationship. They are talked down to, insulted, and belittled so much that their confidence slowly dies. What once was bold becomes doubtful. What once was driven becomes stagnant and quiet.

Another very common example: a young man full of promise becomes a target for bullying. He is picked on because he is less likely to fight back or is perceived as weaker. The bullying is loaded with harsh insults that eventually kill his spirit and change him for the worse. Insults, gossip, cruel jokes, and false rumors are murderous.

You can make a person feel so bad about themselves that they no longer want to live. Look at how many suicides are directly connected to bullying and verbal abuse. With words alone, people stop believing in themselves and achieve NOTHING; simply because of what was spoken over them.

So hear this clearly: Thou shall not kill with your lips.

There are many who have experienced death by words. Do not be the murderer of another person; physically or verbally.

According to God’s Word, life and death are in the power of the tongue. Rather than letting your words murder, be someone who heals. Speak life into yourself and into others. Encourage. Build. Restore.

Because the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for every careless, harsh, or harmful word I have spoken. Guard my mouth and my heart. Teach me to speak life, encouragement, and healing. Heal those who have been wounded by words spoken against them. Let my tongue reflect Your love, Your truth, and Your grace. Use my words to build and not destroy.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.