The Power of the Tongue

January 29

“Life and death are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). How can this be? Oh, yes, some potentates simply speak a word and their captives may be set free or sent to their deaths. In the captivating tale of 1001 Arabian Nights
Shahryar’s new bride, Scheherazade buys extended days of life by using her yarn-spinning ability to keep the king from executing her.

Shahryar had determined that all women were faithless because his wife had betrayed him. To spare himself the heartache of allowing love into his life again, he resolved to marry a woman each day and have her executed the following morning—until he met Scheherazade. This young woman kept him fascinated with her cliff-hanger stories.

Each day, her life was spared for another night of story telling. Ultimately, the couple had a viable marriage and children and happiness, so Scheherazade had literally spared her life and captured her king’s heart by the power of her clever tongue. In real life, however, the power of the tongue has even greater significance than the import it bore in the enchanting tales of the heroes and jin of Arabia.

In real life, our tongues can bless or curse. Our tongues can extend hope or despair. Our tongues can speak words of truth or falsehood. Our tongues can enthrall is did the tongue of Scheherazade. But most importantly, our tongues can confess or deny our Lord Jesus—and that is the determining factor for our eternal destination. To confess Him is to assure our life—not only for another night but for eternity.