March 23, 2026 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Proverbs
Proverbs 18:20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
The words we say are very powerful. From the satisfying of the belly to the end of life the tongue can cause great grief or great blessings. The words spoken can set the course of ones future by the affect it has on the ears of the hearer for it is the hearer that responds to the words.
The use of the tongue often portrays the heart of and individual as a point in case is verse 23
Proverbs 18:23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
There are eloquent speakers and rough or rude in speech. The Apostle Paul was rude in speech yet the words he spoke are revealed in most of the New Testament.
Have you ever heard the phrase “The pen is mightier than the sword”? It is because the words used can cause death and life depending on who is using the words and for what purpose and who is responding to those words.
For the Christian, the words we use should honour and glorify the Lord. The believer’s words should be of the Lord. The believer should be the one who controls the tongue.
James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. 13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
When God is in control of your heart, He will be in control of your tongue as well and there will be no contradiction.
Is God in control of your heart?
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
