Choose life!

“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live."- Deuteronomy 30:19
 
In the final episode of Everybody Loves Raymond, Debra attempts to make amends with her mother-in-law, Marie. After she expressed her tearful remorse at the many years they spent butting heads in conflict, Marie responded with these words: "You know what your problem is, you're always so dramatic."
 
Words come in many forms and under many guises. Some are encouraging and heartfelt. Others sound that way, but sometimes words clothed as encouragement are actually harsh criticism in disguise. My words have the ability to bring life or death to those who hear them. Just as I breathe in life giving oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, so my words should give out the same life that I take in. If I am the new creation in Christ that Paul tells me I am, then I need to act like it. That starts with my words.
 
Do your words give life to those who hear them? What ways could you give life to others with your words?

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