"You have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth."
Proverbs 6;2 NIV
"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words."
Proverbs 18:21 GWT
My beloved mother was characterized as a grammarian by those closest to her. She was reared during an era when she was told that education was the gatekeeper to success. Thus, she acquired a love for learning. She competed in oratorical contests and was involved in the drama club during her high school years. As a result of her accomplishments, she had little tolerance for grammatical errors, or vernacular spoken, particularly by those in formal settings. I vividly recall her verbal reactions and/or facial expressions when I made a subject/verb agreement error or some other grammatical error. My mother was prudent to expose herself to the abundance of English and elective classes offered at the secondary and secondary levels of her educational experience which taught her how to use standard English and evolve in to a fluent communicator.
Over the years, public education has been lauded for its debate and speech teams, as well as thespian and spoken word clubs. These organizations are designed to help students craft their oratorical skills in public speaking, prose, poetry, and acting.
Although it is important to be articulate in order to be competitive in the market place, Solomon's caveats concerning word usage refer to something greater: the choice of every day words we use to communicate. For example:
"I'm scared to death."
"I died laughing."
"I'm sick and tired..."
These are a few expressions spoken regularly in jest: simple colloquialisms, one might say. However, we sometimes fail to realize the potential consequences those types of assertions have over a period of time.
Job realized the power of words when he experienced death, distress, and dearth. In desperation he petitioned God:
"Teach me, and I will hold my tongue, and cause me to understand wherein I have erred."
Job 6:21 KJV
Job was the man whose possessions were destroyed, whose children were killed, who was berated by his wife and closest friends. Despite Job's tribulations, he appears to have had an epiphany when he realized his need for Divine intervention. He was not concerned with his antagonists; he needed God to reveal to him how he may have personally caused the calamity in his life and family.
What about you? Are you speaking words of life over yourself and others, or death? Selah`
Proverbs 6;2 NIV
"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words."
Proverbs 18:21 GWT
My beloved mother was characterized as a grammarian by those closest to her. She was reared during an era when she was told that education was the gatekeeper to success. Thus, she acquired a love for learning. She competed in oratorical contests and was involved in the drama club during her high school years. As a result of her accomplishments, she had little tolerance for grammatical errors, or vernacular spoken, particularly by those in formal settings. I vividly recall her verbal reactions and/or facial expressions when I made a subject/verb agreement error or some other grammatical error. My mother was prudent to expose herself to the abundance of English and elective classes offered at the secondary and secondary levels of her educational experience which taught her how to use standard English and evolve in to a fluent communicator.
Over the years, public education has been lauded for its debate and speech teams, as well as thespian and spoken word clubs. These organizations are designed to help students craft their oratorical skills in public speaking, prose, poetry, and acting.
Although it is important to be articulate in order to be competitive in the market place, Solomon's caveats concerning word usage refer to something greater: the choice of every day words we use to communicate. For example:
"I'm scared to death."
"I died laughing."
"I'm sick and tired..."
These are a few expressions spoken regularly in jest: simple colloquialisms, one might say. However, we sometimes fail to realize the potential consequences those types of assertions have over a period of time.
Job realized the power of words when he experienced death, distress, and dearth. In desperation he petitioned God:
"Teach me, and I will hold my tongue, and cause me to understand wherein I have erred."
Job 6:21 KJV
Job was the man whose possessions were destroyed, whose children were killed, who was berated by his wife and closest friends. Despite Job's tribulations, he appears to have had an epiphany when he realized his need for Divine intervention. He was not concerned with his antagonists; he needed God to reveal to him how he may have personally caused the calamity in his life and family.
What about you? Are you speaking words of life over yourself and others, or death? Selah`