The Love Tongue

(Proverbs 18:21 KJV)  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

I have a hard time thinking of this verse as a song of rejoicing.  I think the idea is that the “tongue” (3956) is a major source of distress.  All you need to do to get a Biblical understanding of the principle is look at the last verse of the previous chapter,

(Proverbs 17:28 KJV)  Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Calvin Coolidge, Silent Cal, would have been the Biblical example of a perfect man, at least in the use of the tongue.

I think there are people who “love” the results they get.  People who gossip get a real kick out of passing on tidbits.  People in pubic life think they are advancing their status with slander and liable.  They really enjoy it.  They are also not God’s children.

So?  Examine your feelings when you “win” an argument or point out the error of someone else’s ways.  You might find a red flag.  Did I enjoy saying that?