“The power of words”
The name of the Lord is a strong tower. —Proverbs 18:10
Read Proverbs 18:1-24
When we read this chapter, we come across some texts which are difficult to explain. The text mentioned above is one of them: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower.” You may be laughed at or even ridiculed when you speak about the Lord and His demands on those around you. Sometimes the ridicule comes from unexpected people. Satan brings about this mocking and by it, seeks to draw us away from the Lord. Yet we read in our text that the name of the Lord is a strong tower and those who find refuge in it experience the saving hand of God. Satan runs himself ragged at the name of the Lord; upon Golgotha’s height his head has been bruised. And so it is for Christ’s sake that the name of the Lord is a strong tower for all those who expect their help from Him.
Moving on to verse 21, we read, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Man’s tongue possesses enormous power and can inflict much damage. How many disputes are not caused by insults being hurled around? Our text even implies that the tongue can cause death. Therefore we must be conscientious concerning what we say to others as well as to God. How dishonouring it is when we curse the Lord. Would it not be much better to glorify the name of the Lord with our tongues? Let us speak to others about our relationship to the Lord. Perhaps they will be brought to a holy jealousy of our closeness to the Lord and through God’s Spirit, be led to the Lord Jesus.
Concretely speaking, what does verse 21 really mean?