We live in a time when harsh rhetoric, ultimatums, accusations, and slander have sadly become the norm not only in Armenia or the United States, but throughout the world. World leaders issue threats and ultimatums to bomb one another. Politicians spare no words in voicing their subjective criticisms. Government officials and religious leaders exchange verbal attacks. People blame one another for their misfortunes or maliciously destroy someone’s good reputation through slander, gossip, and hearsay. We not only hear about this in the news—we experience it in our personal, social, and professional lives.

It seems that the very word God used to create the world is now used by us to destroy it. The word that can bless is also used to curse. I am reminded of Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”

The tongue that delivers eloquent speeches.
The tongue that preaches the Good News.
The tongue that makes sales pitches.
The tongue that persuades in courtrooms.
The tongue that flatters.
The tongue that patronizes.
The tongue that speaks lies.
The tongue that confesses love.
The tongue that holds the power of life and death.

This tongue has a vocabulary for every situation. It produces words—big and small, simple and complex; words with implicit and explicit meanings; words that mean different things in different contexts; words that can be misunderstood or misinterpreted; words that are sensitive and carry heavy connotations.

We have this powerful tongue and the freedom to choose our words. How do we use it? Will we speak life-giving words, or words that bring destruction?

Every time we open our mouths, let us remember the words of renowned author Dan Zadra, who wrote: “All the really great things in life are expressed in the simplest words: friends and family; purpose and meaning; love and work; caring and community; appreciation and gratitude.”

May we have the wisdom to tame our tongues to choose to speak goodness and utter blessings at all times.