Do you bring life to others by the words you speak?

I was Skyping with a friend overseas today and she shared with me this Proverb that challenged her. It got me searching and thinking of some more truth…and how our words are powerful…

Proverbs 16:24
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Psalm 37:30
The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, And his tongue speaks justice.

Proverbs 10:6
Blessings are on the head of the righteous, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Proverbs 10:21
The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of understanding.

Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Matthew 12:34
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.

Romans 14:19
So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Romans 15:2
Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Ephesians 5:4
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving.

Colossians 3:8
But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth.

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.

James 1:26
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.

James 3:1-2
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.

Psalm 15:1-3
Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?
Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,
speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
Those who refuse to gossip
or harm their neighbors
or speak evil of their friends.

“Jesus, guide our mouths to speak a fountain of life into those around us. Amen.”