The Power and the Limit of Words

Have you ever heard someone quote Proverbs 18:21 and claim that our health is dependent on the words we speak?

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

It's true that in certain situations, our words can have the power of life and death. A false witness can tell lies that have someone imprisoned or executed. A doctor can prescribe drugs that kill the patient.(1) 

But Some people teach that Proverbs 18:21 means that we will be healed if we proclaim we'll be healed and will remain sick if we proclaim that we're sick.

 

Not true. Our words do not have that kind of power.

Proverbs are wise sayings, but they are not promises unless they are stated as promises elsewhere in Scripture. And no other passage in Scripture attributes man's words with absolute power to bring healing or sickness, life or death.(2)

In fact, James three devotes 18 verses to the power of the tongue, but never addresses physical sickness, healing, or death. 

We can pray for another person's healing, and if it's God's will, they will be healed. But it's not our words that heal them. It's God's power and purposes. 

Words are powerful. They express love, hate, kindness, hypocritical judgment, truth, or lies. They can encourage or discourage. But Scripture doesn't support the belief that human words cause sickness and death or healing and life.

(1) See Got Question/Power of the Tongue for more on this.

(2) If you think this or other Proverbs are promises, please read A Proverbial Mistake, 

And please check out the Bite Size Bible Study  based on this devotion. I think you will benefit from the extra explanations and Scripture passages.

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For more on healing:
Not All Promises Will Be Fulfilled on Earth
Wheelchair Miracle
Endured or Cured
The Power and Limit of Words
Misunderstandings About the Stripes of Jesus
A Message About Healing in 1 Timothy 5:23