The Power and Limit of Words Study


Before working through this Bible study, please read the 1-minute introduction The Power and Limit of Words.

It addresses misunderstandings about Proverbs 18:21"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."  

1. It's dangerous to base theology on a Proverb alone.

Solomon prefaces the book of Proverbs saying it is a book of "wise sayings." Nowhere is it presented or described as promises. 

If every Proverb were a promise, all righteous people would be wealthy and live long lives while the wicked would die young (Proverbs 10:22,27). Righteous people would never be harmed (Proverbs 12:21). 

I could offer more examples like these, but I think you get the idea that we can't claim all Proverbs as promises. Proverbs offer biblical principles, many of which apply in a spiritual sense, not a physical sense. 

For more on this subject, check out this Bite Size Study help: Proverbs Aren't Promises.

2. It is dangerous to create theology on a single verse even if it isn't a proverb

For example, if we drew all of our beliefs about healing from James 5:14-16, we would assume all sickness can be healed by the prayers of the elders and/or confession of sin although it doesn't specify "all." But James 5:14-16 is only part of the story on healing. we must add it to every other passage on healing before drawing conclusions. If you want to see this illustrated with the subject of prayer, check out Pieces Parts

3. What Scripture teaches on our words: 
Matthew 12:36: But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 

Ephesians 4:29: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 

James 3: 5-6, 9-10, 17-18: Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell...9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be...17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. 

But our words do not bring physical life and death. If we want to understand what Scripture teaches about physical healing, we need to combine all that it teaches.

If you'd like to do that these devotions can help: The Biblical View of Healing

And this article offers some important information about the history of the word of faith movement, a movement that teaches that our words can heal or make sick, bring wealth or poverty: Proverbs 18:21 doctrine.

copyright 2015, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, updated in 2024.

This short Bible study addresses a false teaching about the power of our words (Pr.18:21). #Bible #Falseteaching


Hate Crimes Bible Study

This short Bible study looks at what the world calls "hate crimes." #HateCrimes #Bible #BibleStudy

Before doing this study please read the 1-minute introduction Christians Should Reject All Hate Crimes. It talks about the way culture has twisted the meaning of love and hate, calling God's commands hateful and calling Christians who believe in God's commands hateful. 

1. Many of the "hot topics" in our culture revolve around sexual practices. 

When Christians speak up for God's truth, no matter how gently and carefully they do so, they are typically mocked. This passage specifically addresses sexual immorality and God's emphasis on it.  Can you list the main points in this passage?  

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8: It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

2. The following instructions were given to Titus, a young Christian leader. 

Do you think most young Christian leaders are eager to teach, encourage, and rebuke in areas that contradict our culture?    

Titus 2:11-15: For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

3. How can we read the warning below and talk about the sins of idolatry, adultery, theft, greed, drunkenness, slander, and swindling, but say nothing about homosexuality? 

Is it loving to stand by and let homosexuals go to Hell without warning them and offering them a way to set themselves free from a sin that is damaging their souls?

1 Corinthians 6:9-11: Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

I have been to churches all over the U.S. and in several European countries, and I've never met a Christian who believes in mistreating LGBTQ people. Sometimes cases of mistreatment are shared on social media, but these cases are so rare that they have to be hunted down. It would be much easier to find cases where Christians are called names and mistreated than to find cases where LGBTQ persons are mistreated. Christians must not allow themselves to be influenced by biased news reporting.

Please read the one-minute devotions:

Dealing with Loneliness

This short Bible study explains why we need fellowship and a proper perspective regarding our feelings.

Before doing this study, please read the 1-minute introduction Never Alone. It talks about some of the causes of loneliness and offers 2 important truths we should remember when feeling lonely.

Now let's address some ways we can overcome loneliness:

1. Fellowship!

Sometimes we're lonely because we haven't committed to a church or small group Bible study. These things are essential for our growth and well-being.  See: God Friends

Hebrews 10:24-25: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Not only is fellowship good for our well-being, it also gives us an opportunity to quit focusing on ourselves and consider ways we can encourage others.

2. Feelings.

Feelings are never reliable but we often let them carry us into depression. Start by remembering that God is always with you, and move forward in positive ways:  See: God is Never On Vacation

Romans 8:35-39: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

We cannot trust our feelings, but we can always trust God's love.

3. Purpose.

Ask God for ways you can use your time of loneliness for godly purposes. Besides personal Bible study and prayer as suggested in Never Alone, ask God if there are ways you can help and encourage others, improve a skill, or prepare for a task in your future. 

See: Inhale His Presence

copyright 2015, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, updated in 2025 

This short Bible study explains why we need fellowship and a proper perspective regarding our feelings.

This short Bible study explains why we need fellowship and a proper perspective regarding our feelings.