Jan 18, 2026- Nightly Devotional
- Dustin Gay
- Jan 18
- 2 min read
Nightly Devotional — Proverbs (Day 18 of 31)
Proverbs 18 — Theme: Life and death live in your mouth
Proverbs 18:21
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Reflection
Tonight’s proverb is simple, but it’s heavy—in the best way. Your words produce fruit. Not just feelings. Not just reactions. Fruit.
What you speak consistently will eventually shape the atmosphere around you: in your home, your marriage, your friendships, your workplace, and even inside your own mind. Words can build courage or plant fear. They can strengthen faith or stir doubt. They can bring healing or reopen wounds.
And Proverbs says if we “love” the tongue—meaning we use it freely, carelessly, constantly—we will “eat its fruit.” In other words: we eventually live with what we’ve been speaking.
But here’s the hope: the same tongue that can harm can also heal. The same mouth that can tear down can also bless. God isn’t calling you to silence—He’s calling you to stewardship.
So tonight, let this be a reset. Ask God to put a guard over your mouth and grace in your speech. Not just so you avoid trouble—but so you become a person whose words bring life.
Prayer
Father, forgive me for the times my words have been careless, harsh, negative, or faithless. I don’t want to speak death over my life, my family, or my future. Fill my heart with Your truth so my mouth reflects Your Spirit. Teach me to speak life—encouragement, peace, wisdom, and faith. Put a guard over my mouth and help me be quick to listen and slow to speak. Let the fruit of my words bless others and honor You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Takeaway for Tonight
Before you sleep, speak one sentence of life out loud:
“Lord, my house will be filled with peace, and my mouth will honor You.”
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