“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.” — Proverbs 10:11

“By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” — James 3:13

Over a lifetime, words rarely change everything all at once. Instead, they do their work slowly—like a rudder turning a large ship. Scripture reminds us that our words are never neutral. They reveal the wisdom shaping our hearts, and they help set the direction of our lives.

Looking back, we can see how gospel words—heard, believed, spoken, and prayed—have quietly steered us. Words of promise formed faith. Words of repentance preserved relationships. Words of blessing nurtured relationships: our friendships, marriages, children, and grandchildren. Even preaching, offered again and again, did not merely instruct others; it reshaped the preacher and those who heard him.

Proverbs tells us that righteous speech gives life, while James warns that untamed words expose divided hearts. Together they teach us that transformation of the tongue flows from transformation of the heart. As God’s wisdom from above takes root—pure, peaceable, gentle, full of mercy—our words increasingly reflect his grace.

At you grow older, words become legacy words. They carry the weight of years lived seeking God’s will for God’s glory in God’s presence. They echo into homes, churches, and future generations. And by grace, they still matter—because God is still at work in us and through us.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the words you have used to shape my life—your Word above all. Forgive me for careless words spoken and helpful words unspoken. Redeem even those moments by your grace. Continue to form my heart with the wisdom from above that my words might be a fountain of life to those I love and serve. May what I say reflect the gospel I trust. In Jesus’ name, Amen.