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.

Thankful Thursday

 

 

Praising God today for:

 

Answered prayer

 

Warm weather

 

Growing relationships

 

Beautiful view of sunsets from our back yard

 

His direction when I'm totally confused (which some say is most of the time)

 

Two eyes

 

Water

 

Peace that only He can bring

 

His word--the guide book for living

 

Trustworthy friends

 

Grace

The Source of Wisdom

    How would you respond to the question, "If you wanted to increase in wisdom, where would you look, and what steps would you take?"
     We read in James 3:13-18 about two types of wisdom: earthly, natural, demonic wisdom vs. wisdom from above.  I won't type out these verses here, but you can look them up to see the contrast given.  Any discussion about wisdom's source requires first of all an identification of which wisdom one is looking for.  Searching for wisdom may take different forms, but at the heart of the matter I must define where I want my quest to lead me.  These verses begin with the question, "Who among you is wise and understanding?"  Would I place myself in that category?  If so, why?  What identifies me as either a wise or foolish person?
     We see this contrast between wisdom and foolishness in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians.  In chapter 1 he gives a discourse in verses 18-25 starting out with this proclamation, "For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."  And he follows this up in chapter 3:18-21 with additional comments regarding this contrast.  Part of this passage says, "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God."  So I face this decision:  Will I pursue the wisdom of man and become foolish in God's eyes, or will I choose to embrace God's wisdom and in the process risk looking foolish to family and friends and others within my sphere of influence?
     We read multiple places in scripture, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom..." (Ps. 111:10, Prov. 1:7;9:10, Job 28:28)  On the flip side, the psalmist says, "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.' "  Ps. 14:1a  I recognize the tension here.  I either see God and give Him the reverence He deserves, or I discount Him.  One path leads to wisdom, the other to folly.
     God invites us through His apostle James, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."  I willingly acknowledge my lack of wisdom on many levels.  God does not look down on me for this admission, but responds out of His generosity with provision.  "in [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."  Col. 2:3  "And [God] shall be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is his treasure."  Is. 33:6 
     I conclude with this thought.  God is the source of wisdom.  When I give Him the reverence He deserves, my own lack of wisdom reveals itself.  And taking Him at His word gives me confidence to ask for Him to fill that void from His infinite storehouse. 
    

Thankful Thursday

 

 

Friends who pray...and a God who responds

 

Challenging situations that provide opportunities for growth

 

Smiles

 

A loving wife

 

The cross of Christ

 

Forgiveness

 

Campfires in the backyard

 

The gifts and abilities God has given and open doors to use them to serve others

 

Time

 

My Shepherd

 

Faithfulness

 

Grace