Life and Death and the Power of the Tongue « Heather L. Trotter: wife.mother.daughter.sister.aunt.friend

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Life and Death and the Power of the Tongue

March 8, 2009 by heatherltrotter

During this mornings message, my brother referenced a situation at our childhood church that reignited a thought process that I have often had…the power of the tongue. You see, there were a few guys in the church that used the art of rap to express themselves and their belief in the Lord. One Sunday during special music, they performed for the church one of the rap songs. It was wonderful. Here were four teenage guys, pouring out what the Lord had laid on their hearts. It was well received by most, but the pastor quickly got up, once they were done, and said that was of the devil! What?! In that moment, I believe that he spoke death into their lives. A seed was planted in them, that if truth be told, I don’t think they ever got over. Each of them and at least two other guys that ran in that same circle are now pursuing things other than Christ. I wonder how different their lives would have been if LIFE was spoken to them…

Another example is Kirk Franklin. He once said in an interview that he confessed to a pastor his struggles with pornography and pre-marital sex. The pastor just said that he would get over it and that he just needed more ‘church’. Kirk goes on to say that the pastor, in that moment, had the opportunity to speak LIFE and instead he spoke DEATH. Kirk went on to struggle with these things for years!

Proverbs 18:21a says: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” We must be VERY careful the words that speak to people, because those words may alter the life direction…for better or for worse.

Posted in Life Lessons, This Made Me Think | Tagged Bryan Loritts, Kirk Franklin, power of the tongue | 6 Comments

6 Responses

on March 8, 2009 at 8:51 pm Erin

Good word, Heather! Good, word! …what great reminders of the impact our words REALLY have!
Thank you!
on March 9, 2009 at 9:27 am Karen Lehman

Heather, I was in awe of God when I happened across your blog this morning and it was about the power of the tongue. This is the EXACT thing that God laid on my heart during Bryan’s sermon yesterday and again during the Celebration Service. In fact, I actually have listed on my “To Do” list for today to write a Facebook note on the power of the tongue. God also prompted my spirit with the verse in Proverbs. I thought about it in several contexts. 1) We do not take “crude joking” seriously enough and have no idea what is really occurring in that moment. 2) I have struggled with legalism in the church in the form of profane language. I don’t like people to feel to think that I do not swear just because it is on a list of things not to do as a Christian. And yet, are we not called to holiness and a higher road in terms of the words we speak? My generation (20s) seems to think that it is the motivation/meaning behind the word rather than the actual word used that is more important. Still, are there instances I am speaking forth death by using a specific word in a conversation. 3) When God really laid this whole topic on my spirit was when I witnessed the dedication of your baby girl last night. As Bryan was praying over her, I thought about the godly inheritance she says and the POWER of the words of protection and faith over her life, BELIEVING God for who He is creating her to be.
Anyway, thanks for your post. I am encouraged by you. May God bless you today (I say this not as a trite closing but truly praying and speaking forth blessing over your today).
on March 9, 2009 at 9:33 am heatherltrotter

Thanks Karen. I look forward to reading your note.
on March 9, 2009 at 9:34 am heatherltrotter

I thought about you and your pledge for Lent! How is that going?
on March 10, 2009 at 7:52 am Rafa

Great reminder. I try to do this with my Angie, the girls, and everyone I come across, but in many cases I just don’t do it. Let’s keep pressing on.
on March 10, 2009 at 8:01 am Karen Wells

Dear Sister,

I would post my comment on the blog — if i knew how — but you touched a

place on my heart with your (and Bryan’s) story — the speaking of death instead of life.

My youngest brother got caught up in smoking cigarettes when he was

eleven. When Doug was in high school, the youth pastor from our church

came to speak to my mom. He told her that Doug was not welcome there

unless he stopped smoking. I was aghast.

Needless to say, Doug will turn 50 this summer and has not darkened the

door of a church since. He has a very bitter attitude about Christians as well.

I pray for him about everyday. I hadn’t thought about that incident in a long time.

May we be sensitive to words of Life and Truth and Love and Grace.

Thanks for the reminder.