Wisdom in our Speech--part 2

 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue...Prov. 18:21a

 

Last time I gave you a glimpse into what I learned about how and when to speak as I studied through Proverbs.  Today I want to share with you my observations about the importance of the content of my words when it comes to exercising wisdom and righteousness.

 

These verses capture the scope of this study and emphasize two significant factors.

     The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. 16:1

     He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles. 21:23

First, God desires to shape my speech.  If I allow Him to, He will put His words in my mouths.  This insures that what I say will be correct.  Secondly, the words I speak carry such importance, choosing them requires diligence.  This guarding of my words not only benefits those who hear them, but it also protects my own soul.

 

I see two contrasts given throughout the book concerning what flows from my mouth.  Life vs. death, and truth vs. lies.  Prov. 18:21a, which I've chosen as the keystone verse for the study brings out the contrast of life vs. death, and throughout the book it is developed.

     10:11,21a--The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence...The lips of the righteous feed many...

     11:9,11--With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.  By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.

     12:6,18--The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright will deliver them.  There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

     13:3--The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

     15:7--A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit.

     25:13--Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters.

 

Consider these verses in the contrast between truth and lies:

     4:24a--Put away from you a deceitful mouth...

     8:6,7--Listen, for I will speak noble things; and the opening of my lips will reveal right things.  For my mouth will utter truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

     12:17--He who speaks truth tells what is right, but a false witness, deceit.

     13:5a--A righteous man hates falsehood...

     17:7--Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, much less are lying lips to a prince.

     25:14--Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely

 

I want wisdom to mark my speech.  If it does, my words will bring life and healing; they will proclaim truth to those who hear. 

 

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.  Ps. 141:3 

Thankful Thursday

Sometimes the simple activity of slowing down and reflecting helps put things back in perspective.  There are countless things for which gratitude should flow from my heart and lips.  Included in my list this week are:

The everlasting love of God

 

Prayer--the open door to communication with God

 

Water

 

My Redeemer

 

Friends

 

Our home--a place of refuge for our family and for others God allows us to share it with

 

Allison, Abigail, and Adam--three of God's richest blessings in my life

 

Renewed strength

 

The Cross

 

Time--every moment is a gift from God--am I using it wisely?

 

Grace

Belated Thankful Thursday

Sometimes the distractions of life keep me from doing the important things.  I don't know about anyone else, but I can easily get caught up in unimportant and useless activity at times.  So for today I'm very thankful for

 

God's patience with me

 

His mercies that are new every morning and are the basis of my salvation

 

God's faithfulness--He never changes

 

His word--a lamp for my feet and a light for my path

 

Rain

 

new growth

 

my wife--the expression of God's favor on me

 

music--an avenue for worship

 

forgiveness

 

grace

Wisdom in Our Speech

 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue

Prov.18:21a

 

 

That's a strong statement.  It has far reaching implications.  It means I must decide what I will use my words for.  I have two options.  Either I speak words that build others up and better their lives, or I use my words to tear them down and bring death to relationships.

 

As I studied through the book of Proverbs, I noticed three things relating to my speech.  I saw that what I say indicates whether I prove myself foolish or wise.  But along with that, I observed that when I speak and how I communicate also factor into the equation. 

 

In regard to how I speak, words like gently, soothing, soft, pleasant, and sweet were used to describe wisdom in communication.

     15:1 "A gentle answer turns away wrath..."

     15:4 "A soothing tongue is a tree of life..."

     16:21 "...sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness."

     16:24 "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."

     25:15 "...a soft tongue breaks the bone."

These verses emphasize the benefit of making a conscious choice about how I use my words, the tone of what I say carries as much weight as the actual words.

 

As for when to speak, Proverbs also gives some clear instruction.

     15:28 "The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer..."

     17:27,28 "He who restrains his words has knowledge...Even a fool when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent."

     18:13 "He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him."

     23:9 "Do not speak in the hearing of a fool..."

     25:11 "Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances."

     29:20 "Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?  There is more hope for a fool than for him."

     31:8 "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the unfortunate."

I see that when I open my mouth and when I don't say anything both communicate something about my level of wisdom.  These verses contain a call to caution in speaking.  I need to take time to respond rather than hastily blurting out words.  They instruct me to consider the people around me as a determination of whether to speak or not.  And they communicate that I must speak up when I see those less fortunate than me suffering.

 

Next time I will get into the dynamics of what I am instructed to say.

    



Thankful Thursday

Gratitude is sadly missing in our culture today.  Everybody wants something, expects something, but expressing appreciation for what we do receive has become more and more the exception rather than the rule.  God instructs us to always give thanks.  In every situation we find ourselves thanksgiving is possible.  What's keeping me from saying those two words--Thank You?

For today, I want to take a few moments to reflect on the gifts from above for which God deserves praise.

God's peace and abiding presence

 

His renewing of strength as I wait on Him

 

Warm weather

 

A new roof on our house, and the 16 or so people who helped make it possible

 

A challenging job

 

An encouraging boss

 

Opportunities to share God's truth

 

Yoyo

 

Growing relationships

 

Music

 

Time to hang out with my family

 

Grace

Thankful Thursday

 

 

Prayer

 

A steady job

 

God's faithfulness

 

Rest

 

Music

 

Challenging conversations

 

Smiles

 

God's word-truth for all times

 

Anticipation

 

Family

 

Seeing God conducting the symphony of our lives

 

Food

 

Neighbors

 

Grace

The Value of Wisdom

     What price do I put on wisdom?  Will I make sacrifices to obtain it?  How do I view its impact on my life?
     "How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.  For its profit is better than the profit of silver, and its gain than fine gold.  She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her."  Prov. 3:13-15
     Do I agree with this statement?  Does my life reflect this kind of devotion to obtaining wisdom?  The last line of this passage hits me hard.  Nothing I desire compares with wisdom!  In another passage it says that nothing that is desirable can compare with wisdom.  That doesn't leave much room for argument.  Wisdom trumps everything.  It meets my needs more than money ever could.
     Why?  What gives wisdom its value?  I find four things as I read through Proverbs that result from pursuing wisdom.  I'll call them benefits.  First, if I seek after wisdom, it brings security.  I can walk confidently and without fear if I have wisdom as my companion.  (1:33a; 3:23; 14:3)  Also, having wisdom brings me favor with others. I receive honor when I act wisely.  (4:8,9; 14:35; 17:2)  Another benefit of wisdom shows itself in increasing the quality of my life.  When I walk in the way of wisdom, I truly live.  (8:35; 15:24)  Lastly, even though wisdom is more valuable than gold or silver, scripture indicates that wisdom has the potential to bring riches.  I would tend to think the wealth spoken of goes beyond mere monetary gain, but I can't deny that it does involve financial betterment.  (8:17-21)
     So I have a choice.  Will I agree with God and embrace the value of wisdom, or will I continue to lean on my own understanding?  Knowing the truth, why do I struggle with this decision?  I may have more foolishness in me than I care to admit.