proverbs 18:21 bible study
Proverbs 18:21 NASB
This verse says, “Death and life and in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Observations
The keywords and phrases that stand out to me are “death,” “life,” and “those who love it will eat its fruit.”
What is Death?
Death can be defined as the end of life; the passing or destruction of something. Synonyms for this word include destruction, annihilation, and ruin.
How is Life Described in the Bible?
In the Bible, the word “life” describes both our natural and spiritual lives. Our natural lives describe the span of our physical existence, from the womb until death. However, our spiritual life begins at the time we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, which the Scriptures describe in the book of Ephesians.
Ephesians 2:1-5 says, – And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ… (NASB)
Synonyms for the word “life” include growth, energy, heart, and vitality.
What Does “Those Who Love it Will Eat its Fruit” Mean?
The Bible uses the term “bear fruit” as a way to describe what we produce in our lives. If we plant good seeds, then we bear good fruit. Likewise, if we plant bad seeds, then we will produce bad fruit. As it is explained in Matthew 7:17-20 which says:
“So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.” (NASB)
This means our actions and speech will either produce good or bad outcomes in our lives. And if we love to speak often, either for good or bad, then we will have to live with what it produces.
Summary of this Proverbs 18:21 Bible Study
Our words contain the power to produce either life or death. Words of death are words that are destructive and bring ruin. While words of life are words that bring forth growth and love. This verse is speaking to the spiritual weight and consequences of our words, which is the fruit it bears. Our words will either produce good fruit in our lives and the lives of others, or they will produce bad fruit in our lives and the lives of others.
We must be careful with the things we speak of ourselves, the things we say of others, and to others. Our words carry weight and power to either destroy or build up. We will have to live with the consequences.
My Application
As I studied this verse, I realized that my words have spiritual implications and consequences. It also brings to mind this verse:
John 6:63 – “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” (NASB)
And I am also reminded of this verse as well:
Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (NASB)
This verse teaches us that it is the Holy Spirit that gives life and produces the good fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and so on.
So, if I want to speak “life,” then my words must be led and inspired by the Holy Spirit. For it is only by the Holy Spirit that my words can produce kindness, love, be full of joy, and exercise self-control.
This includes the words that I say of myself and of others.
To be honest, I have a real problem with the words that I say to myself. Because I say things to and of myself that I would never say to another person. I have caught myself thinking things like “I am a failure,” or “I am just worthless.”
I typically say things like this when I have failed at something for the millionth time, or I have messed up in a major way.
But these words are destructive. So, to begin practicing righteousness, my plan is to overthrow these ruinous words.
So, the next time I catch myself misspeaking in this manner, I will replace these statements with truths from Scripture.
For example, I can replace the statement, “I am failure” with a phrase based on Romans 8:37. This verse teaches us that we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. So, I can say instead, “I am more than a conqueror in Christ”
And I can do this with every destructive thing I catch myself saying of others and myself. I will practice speaking life over us.
Prayer & Praise
Father, thank you for teaching me how to exchange my words of death for words of life. May I be faithful in living out what You have taught me from Your Holy Word. May I walk worthy of the calling to which You have called me. And may I be an example of believers in faith, love, purity, SPEECH, and conduct. In Jesus’s name, I pray, Amen.
Did you know?
Did you know, that the bible teaches followers of Christ to meditate on the Word of God? (Joshua 1:8)
Did you also know, that memorizing scripture is a guard against sin? (Psalms 119:11)
And that both memorizing and meditating on the Word of God, is a way that believers keep their way pure? (Psalms 119:9-16)
You see most believers do not know these things, let alone practice them. Even though the Word of God clearly teaches us to do so.
However, In View of Literacy, has created a free bible workbook that teaches both parents and students how to consistently practice these disciplines of scripture. While also teaching them the spiritual benefits (as outlined in the bible) of these practices as well.
So that as Joshua 1:8 says, their way may be successful (in spiritual matters). And as Psalms 119: 11 says, they will keep their way pure, which is especially needed in today’s culture.
This bible workbook is available for free HERE on this website. Download your free copy today, to begin practicing these vital disciplines of scripture!
