Welcome to 'DRRIC Understandable Reflection'. Since November 2021, I have been writing weekly reflections in Dutch for my church and others who are interested in the Bible. These reflections are sent through a WhatsApp list and shared on my website.
Last week, I met someone who wanted to read these reflections in English. Because of this, I decided to start translating them so more people can read them. From now on, I will share them in English as well.
Would you like to receive these reflections on WhatsApp? Let me know, and I will add you to the list. Then you can read them anytime.
Please note: The reflections on this page change every week. Old ones are removed. May these words bless you, and may the Lord give you His grace and wisdom.
314 DRRIC A Biblical Message - Understandable Reflection
July 9, 2025 Thought:“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
Proverbs 18:20-21
- A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
- Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Warning! Words can be deadly
Words are like seeds. What we sow with our mouth will one day bear fruit, and we will eat that fruit ourselves. There is deep power hidden in our speech. The power to heal or to break, to build or to destroy, the power of life and death. Solomon does not speak to us gently in Proverbs, as if offering comfort, but gives us a clear call. A serious invitation to reflect. What are our words like? Do we speak life, or do we leave traces of death behind? Do we sow hope or suspicion, encouragement or bitterness?
The imagery of Proverbs 18:20 is simple yet powerful. We literally eat the words we speak. What comes from our mouth returns to us. Good words can nourish the heart, bringing blessing to ourselves and to others. But harsh or empty words can cause inner damage. In Psalm 34:13–14, David reveals this to us: 'Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.' Words reveal who we are. They spring from the heart and bear fruit in our lives.
It is important to realise that the harvest, the outcome of our words, must be good. This imagery underlines the agricultural theme in the Proverb. A good harvest brings inner satisfaction, a deep sense of fulfilment. True satisfaction is found in a life where words and deeds are aligned with God’s wisdom, embodied in Jesus Christ.
David makes this clear in Psalm 37:3–4: 'Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.' Joy and fulfilment are outcomes of a relationship with God. It is a deep and lasting joy and devotion. It is alignment with God’s will in our lives, where we no longer pursue our own goals but ask, what would You have me do?
Desires in the heart of the righteous are not just personal wishes focused on ourselves. It is a transformation of the heart, where desires become reflections of God's desires. Jesus makes this clear as well in John 15:7: 'If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.' It is vital to understand this correctly. The Gospel is not a prosperity message, as if having enough faith automatically results in money, wealth, and health. That is not how the Gospel works. It is far richer than that. It is inner joy and a life oriented toward God. It is a deep trust in His providence and timing, with the recognition that He knows what is best for His children. It often does not happen in the way one might expect, but it is assured to those who truly delight in the LORD.
What verse 20 expresses figuratively is deepened in verse 21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Our words carry influence, responsibility, and spiritual weight. They are never neutral. They bring life or death, building up or tearing down. One sentence can shape or crush a man. An encouragement can give direction, while gossip can cause lasting harm. At the same time, words of grace and hope can bring healing. This proverb touches the heart of discipleship. Let us learn to speak under the guidance of God's Spirit so that our words more and more resemble those of Christ, full of truth and full of love.
Let us allow our hearts to be examined again. Where do we need to repent of words that brought death instead of life? Ask the Holy Spirit to cleanse your speech. Choose today to speak words that build up, heal, and bless. For those who live in Christ no longer speak from the flesh but from the new life. Let our tongues be instruments of His grace.
Prayer
LORD, God of the covenant, teach us to speak from Your Spirit, so that our words may spread life and not death. Forgive us when we have spoken death, and make us alive through Your Son. We thank You for Your wisdom, again and again. LORD, hold Your Word before us as a mirror and help us to reflect deeply in it. Soli Deo Gloria. To You alone be all glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.