Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV)

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Eisegesis: 

Your words have supernatural power that can cause and effect things to happen and circumstances to change. 

Exegesis:   

This verse does not indicate that there is some supernatural power behind our words. Instead, it simply states that our words have consequences, and demonstrate our inward disposition.

God made us expressive beings, and communication is a vital part of our lives that has enormous implications, especially as a vehicle for sharing the gospel (Romans 10:14). 

However, this scripture is frequently quoted out of context and often incomplete. In most situations, this verse is wrongly used to show the cause and effect of things that can happen by our words. Some have also incorrectly applied this verse, leading people to become fearful and in bondage because of what they have said or what was negatively spoken against them.

Before properly exegeting this verse, we first need to read the complete segment of verses from verse 19 to verse 21. This will give us a systematic breakdown to comprehend the writer’s (Solomon) intended meaning.

Proverbs 18:19-20 (NKJV)

A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle. A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.

Verse 19 speaks about how our harsh insensitive words can offend someone. And verse 20 adds that the words we speak proceed from the heart, which reveals our actual disposition towards someone, making the offences even more hurtful.

We then come to verse 21, which highlights that our words have the potential to harm (death) or uplift (life) others. This reflects the profound influence our speech can have, either wounding or edifying those around us, depending on how we choose to use it.

The ending of the verse is also something that is often missed out – where it says, “those who love it will eat its fruit.” What does it mean? It simply means that what you sow in others (in the form of hurting words or building-up words), you will see the fruits of it (either good or bad). 

There is no mention here that would indicate our words have creative powers; that is something reserved for God.

God alone reserves the right to possess the life-creating power to command things into existence. 

God alone is the Creator who can speak into existence things that did not exist (Romans 4:17) and can sustain all things by the power of His word (Hebrews 1:3). 

We are not God or little gods, as some have stated. We are His creation, and even though we are made in His image and likeness, we are without the power to create anything with our words, except that we bring hurt or healing to other’s emotions. 

The words that we speak DO NOT have the power to change another person or the circumstances in the world around them or us.

This is made very clear in the following verse; 

Lamentations 3:37-38 (Amplified Bible)

Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass, Unless the Lord has authorized and commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High That both adversity (misfortune) and good (prosperity, happiness) proceed?

How do we properly apply Proverbs 18:21 in context?

This verse, in context, touches upon three areas – Spiritual, Physical, and Emotional. 

Spiritual:

We can say “what our tongue produces has eternal implications,” however, not in any supernatural / mystical sense; instead, it reveals what is in our hearts. Our speech is a good indicator of our fruits and is evidence of the Holy Spirits sanctifying work in our hearts.

Simply put, a tongue under control is a mark of the Spirit’s power within us. It reflects the transformative work of sanctification in a believer’s life, where our speech becomes a tool for glorifying God rather than spreading harm. The way we use our words demonstrates whether we are walking in alignment with the Spirit or driven by our flesh.

Here are some important pointers from the Bible;

• Jesus said what is stored inside of a man, whether good or evil, will come out. ~ Mathew 12:35
• The prophet Isaiah places our words on par with actions that display our sinful hearts. ~ Isaiah 59:2-3
• Jesus said that “everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” ~ Mathew 12:36
• James highlights that we cannot “tame the tongue” by ourselves because “it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” ~ James 3:8

Physical:

To understand Proverbs 18:21, we don’t need to tax our imagination to know how the tongue can cause physical life and death.

Our words create actions, good and bad. 

• A judge could cause a person to be killed or live by simply saying a word. 
• Doctors’ advice or ill advice can have consequences for a patient.
• A weather forecaster issuing a tornado warning could help safeguard lives. 
• A counsellor’s advice can give hope to a suicidal person.
• An employee’s bad attitude or words can cause them to get fired from their jobs. 
• A marriage can break down because neither of the spouses will not control their tongue.  

As we can see, our words can cause an immediate action that can affect our temporal life; in this sense, the tongue indeed has the power of life and death.

Emotional:

Words can have a powerful effect on our emotions, either positive or negative. We can express love & encouragement through our words and even hate & discouragement. 

• Proverbs 15:4 describes the tongue with healing properties that will help build and encourage someone while also having destructive properties that could overwhelm and depress someone crushing their spirit.
• Proverbs 12:18 contrasts how reckless words are like a piercing sword, but wise words can bring healing.    

So it is apparent that what we say can profoundly affect the emotions of others.

Conclusion:

As we can see, this verse has a very practical application that is not mystical, as some from the New Age Movement claim. Our words do not have any power to create realities.

There is also no mention in the Bible that our negative words can bring about negative energy. Sometimes negative words are correct and might even have some good outcomes if shared rightly. Even Jesus spoke very negative words about people and to people, and at other times, He spoke very positive words. Ultimately what matters is that His words were always right and always true.

So for us as Christians, we need to be mindful that we are always speaking truth and that our Christian speech is consistent and God-honoring;  

James 3:9-10 (NKJV)

But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.