Proverbs 18:20-21 (ESV)
20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.
The way we use our words determines our level of contentment in life, as what we speak to others will impact us in the end. Just as healthy food makes one well while junk food makes one sickly, so too good words strengthen the soul while bad words corrupt the person. The things we say to people should be the things we expect them to say back to us. Our words have more power than we give them credit for; in fact, they can be the cause of death or of life in our community. Statements we make can cause divisions between people and strife between others and ourselves. The one who speaks encouragement has the ability to bring healing to those around her. We are driven by what others say, and others are driven by what we communicate. It has been said, “You are what you eat,” but the Proverbs warn, “You are what you speak.”