What does Psalm 109:18 teach about the consequences of our words? The Verse at a Glance “He wore cursing like a garment; it entered his body like water, and his bones like oil.” (Psalm 109:18) An Image of Words Worn as Clothing • “Cursing” is pictured as a garment—something intentionally put on. • Like water, harmful words seep deep, saturating every part of life. • Like oil in the bones, they become part of a person’s very structure. Consequences of Our Words • What we speak clings to us; we cannot easily shed it. • Words shape our inner life, not just our outward reputation. • Persistent negative speech invites the same negativity back upon us (vv. 17–19). • The impact is physical, emotional, and spiritual—“body…bones.” Biblical Echoes and Reinforcements • Proverbs 18:21 — “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” • Matthew 12:36-37 — “…by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” • James 3:5-8 — the tongue is “a fire,” able to stain “the whole course of life.” • Galatians 6:7 — “Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.” Living It Out 1. Choose blessing: speak Scripture, encouragement, truth. 2. Repent quickly of careless or spiteful words (1 John 1:9). 3. Ask the Holy Spirit to guard your mouth (Psalm 141:3). 4. Surround yourself with those who model godly speech (Proverbs 13:20). Key Takeaways • Words are never neutral; they dress us for honor or for harm. • Repeated speech patterns sink into the heart and body. • God holds us accountable for every utterance—yet offers grace to transform our tongues. |
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