As you read through the Proverbs, I urge you to reflect, pray, and apply these devotional bits of encouragement and wisdom to your own life.

Toxic Talk.
It’s amazing how careless we can get with our words. You see it. You hear it. So do I. The important question to ask ourselves is do we control our tongue, or does it control us? The Book of James talks about the power of the tongue and so does Proverbs here and in many other places. And Jesus talks about the power of our words. Why? Because they can bring life or death. They can speak life or death. You and I have the power to speak into people’s lives and build them up. Or we can break them down with unfortunate and toxic talk. Our words build or bruise. Some people really struggle with this issue. And we all can do better. Let’s work on better today. Build, don’t bruise. Eliminate all toxicity. Be careful and not careless. Bridle your conversation and speak hope and life and encouragement to others.
“Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.” – Proverbs 11:12-13, 17