It says in Mishlei (Proverbs), “Mavet—death—and life are in the hands of the tongue.” The Chachamim (sages), the commentators, say an unbelievable thought. A person who speaks Lashon Hara (evil speech), unfortunately, can, Chas veshalom (God forbid), bring Mavet upon the world. He can actually bring bad decrees upon the world, Chas veshalom, God forbid. However, Chayim: if a person wants to bring life to the world, if a person wants to bring blessings to the world, whether there are bad decrees or good decrees, it’s in the power of the tongue. It’s in the power of our mouth. If we use our mouth to speak Lashon Hara, then Chas veshalom, God forbid, it could be bad news. But if we use the power of the mouth for Chayim, to bring life to the world through not speaking Lashon Hara, then we’re going to bring good decrees and blessings to the world.
But I want to add, Rabotai (my masters), a beautiful chiddush (novel insight) from the Gaon MiVilna. The Gaon MiVilna writes that a person has to utilize his mouth and the power of speech to give Chayim, to give life to a person. Sometimes you see someone is down. Sometimes you see somebody needs chizuk, he needs a little strength, he needs a little love or a good compliment. Chayim beyad halashon, says Shlomo HaMelech. A person has to give life, he has to electrify people, beyad halashon, with the power of the tongue. A person can use his tongue, can use his mouth, says the Gaon MiVilna: Mavet vechayim beyad halashon (death, and life is in the hands of the tongue). You can use your mouth either, God forbid, to destroy people and give them Mavet—like death—both your words. You can damage them. Or you can give people Chayim, you can give them life, you can strengthen them beyad halashon with the power of the tongue. It’s our responsibility to look out for one another and give people good words, compliments, and strengthen them and give them chizuk. That’s what it means: Chayim beyad halashon, give life to other people with the power of the tongue.