We know nothing about God’s plan unless we understand that it is a plan of love. When we are filled with the transforming love of Christ, when our hearts have been smitten by the mystery of that love, when what daily fills us is deep gratitude for His sacrifice and transformation, then our words begin to be words of love, words of service, words of grace, words of encouragement, words of peace, and words that that build and not destroy.

In Proverbs Solomon says that death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit (18:21). Wisdom says that words are powerful because they penetrate the soul and last a lifetime. Our words bless or curse. They build up or they destroy. They encourage or discourage. They nourish or weaken. They heal or hurt.