When the scripture says, "Life and death are in the power of the tongue." If, in anger, you curse someone in private, not to their face. Can you cause death to come upon them? When I say curse, I don't mean curse words. I mean, curse the day they were born or something like that. Thank you...
Hello Janathome2. Job 14:5 states, "Seeing his (man's) days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass..". God, Who has gifted each one of us life, has also determined the day of our death. We might think that someone who has had a sudden unexpected death had his life cut short without God's Knowledge or has 'cut across God's bounds set for him'. But that is not so, as the Giver of Life knows all about us, what we will do with our lives, our acceptance or rejection of Him, and the day of our death. So, we have no power in our minds or even our words, to cause someone to die. Yet, we are accountable to God for the workings of our minds and certainly, if we plan or even cause another person to suffer in any way.
But the Scripture you gave ( Proverbs 18:21) might seem to suggest differently. I believe that the writer is showing us what James in his letter speaks often about; see James chapter 3, where James writes about the tongue (it's boasting, carrier of poison, spewer of both cursing & blessing, a fire, a defiler of our body, etc.). It's only a little member of our bodies, but can do the greatest damage to others, even oneself). And so the Proverbs writer I feel, says the same thing: that how we use our tongue (our words, which come from our minds & hearts), can be either praiseworthy by giving wise counsel, help, & guidance to those in need, or our words can be damnable issuing forth hatred, cursing, trap-setting, false witness and bad justice. But as James writes in verse 2, "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." And "perfect" here is the mature, moral, self-disciplined person who has control over his mind and body, and over his tongue that can express the contents of the heart (see Matthew 12:34). So, we can't cause death by cursing another (whether from the heart or the tongue), but we can do great damage to our lives before God.
Thank you, Chris, for sharing your knowledge of the scripture, Proverbs 18. I am so glad you responded to my question. We can sometimes help each other with understanding and Spiritual knowledge of His word. That is why we are Brethren in Christ Jesus. Blessings.
And every blessing to you too, Janathome2, and thank you for your reply. When we stay close to the Lord and trust in His Word, He, by His Spirit, will always minister clearly to us & will guide us in every situation we might face.
But the Scripture you gave ( Proverbs 18:21) might seem to suggest differently. I believe that the writer is showing us what James in his letter speaks often about; see James chapter 3, where James writes about the tongue (it's boasting, carrier of poison, spewer of both cursing & blessing, a fire, a defiler of our body, etc.). It's only a little member of our bodies, but can do the greatest damage to others, even oneself). And so the Proverbs writer I feel, says the same thing: that how we use our tongue (our words, which come from our minds & hearts), can be either praiseworthy by giving wise counsel, help, & guidance to those in need, or our words can be damnable issuing forth hatred, cursing, trap-setting, false witness and bad justice. But as James writes in verse 2, "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." And "perfect" here is the mature, moral, self-disciplined person who has control over his mind and body, and over his tongue that can express the contents of the heart (see Matthew 12:34). So, we can't cause death by cursing another (whether from the heart or the tongue), but we can do great damage to our lives before God.
Very well said!
This comment thread is locked. Please enter a new comment below to start a new comment thread.
Note: Comment threads older than 2 months are automatically locked.
Do you have a Bible comment or question?
Posting comments is currently unavailable due to high demand on the server.
Please check back in an hour or more. Thank you for your patience!
Report Comment
Which best represents the problem with the comment?