One verse for which this applies in a particular way is Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” At first glance, this sounds harsh and exaggerated. Can words really kill? Or revive? After all, life and death seem to be determined by great deeds, wars, and fateful decisions.
Yet the truth is that words truly possess enormous power. They can shape reality, influence the soul, create worlds and destroy worlds. We can all recall a moment when a single word changed our entire day. A sincere compliment, spoken at the right moment, can free a person from despair. A sentence of trust — such as “I believe in you” — can rekindle an almost extinguished inner flame.
On the other hand, a disparaging remark or criticism expressed without sensitivity can burn itself into the heart. Some people carry with them a sentence that was said to them in childhood — whether for good or ill — and that sentence became a burden that still shapes their adult life. Our verse speaks not only of how we...
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