When Words Travel Too Fast
Devotional week 41
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” — Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
Today, while watching a YouTube video on how to grow beetroot in tropical climates, I noticed something I had seen before but never really thought about. The creator had written in the video description: “Please keep your comments respectful.” I have come across this in other videos, but this time it caught my attention because I thought How complicated relationships have become that even a simple gardening video needs rules for communication! I assumed everyone watching was like me, only there to learn more about growing beetroot! But clearly, that is not always the case.
But it is not just YouTube. Almost every platform whether Facebook, X, Instagram, even workplace apps, has guidelines about how we should speak or comment. Why? Because people everywhere know that words can hurt, divide, or destroy if used carelessly.
Think about it: how many misunderstandings at work, arguments online, or broken friendships started with something that was said (or typed) too quickly? The Bible puts it plainly: “The tongue has the power of life and death.” (Proverbs 18:21) That’s huge. Our words, spoken or typed can bring peace or cause pain. In the workplace today, poor communication is one of the most common roots of conflict. Emails are misunderstood, tone is misread, and small issues quickly grow into tension and mistrust. Teams can break down not just because of poor performance, but because of poor words. And on social media, where emotions run high, a single careless comment or post can hurt your witness as a follower of Christ.
So maybe those “community guidelines” are not just for YouTube—they’re a quiet reminder to us all. As followers of Christ, we need our own personal guideline for communication. We don’t just follow rules, we follow Christ, whose words always brought truth and grace. The tone of our messages, the content we share, and even the discussions we entertain all reveal what is growing in our hearts.
Wise communication requires humility, self-control, and the courage to use words that heal, not harm.
Reflections
Do I speak from wisdom or from emotion when I face pressure or conflict?
How can I use my words this week to bring peace and light into my workplace?
Prayer
Lord, help me use my words wisely. Teach me to pause before I speak or post. Let my communication bring peace, not harm, and may my words always reflect Your grace and truth whether I’m at work, online, or at home. Amen.