Consider the power of words. They can cause war, or express worship. Build up, or tear down. Establish character, or destroy reputations. Support truth, or advance lies.
Proverbs fifteen contains a series of contrasting "wisdom morsels"; largely comparing and contrasting the righteous and the wicked. Especially prominent are wise statements regarding speech:
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly (verses 1-2) ... The lips of the wise spread knowledge, But the hearts of fools are not so (verse 7) ... The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly (verse 14) ... A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word! (verse 23) ... The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things" (verse 28).
James three is an excellent passage to consider alongside these words of wisdom about words from Proverbs fifteen. The tongue - our speech - is challenging to tame, because it vents what resides in our hearts and minds. Thoughts may appear hidden within, but eventually our speech reveals our inner thoughts - whether good or bad.
There is wisdom in guarding our words, but greater wisdom in guarding our hearts and minds. That which we allow our minds to ponder in thought is expressed in our words. For that reason, we do well to make certain that we serve our minds plenty of healthy "thought food". Could anything be more beneficial than to become a form of "living word" - God's word (scripture) "made flesh" in and through us?
The Psalmist states, "Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You." (Psalm 119:11) If our words are determined by our inner thoughts, what could be better than that both be a spring of life, bringing true refreshing and life to others?
May our words bless others this day as they flow from the abundance of God's word and truth in our thoughts.
©Steve Taylor, 2012
Proverbs fifteen contains a series of contrasting "wisdom morsels"; largely comparing and contrasting the righteous and the wicked. Especially prominent are wise statements regarding speech:
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly (verses 1-2) ... The lips of the wise spread knowledge, But the hearts of fools are not so (verse 7) ... The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly (verse 14) ... A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word! (verse 23) ... The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things" (verse 28).
James three is an excellent passage to consider alongside these words of wisdom about words from Proverbs fifteen. The tongue - our speech - is challenging to tame, because it vents what resides in our hearts and minds. Thoughts may appear hidden within, but eventually our speech reveals our inner thoughts - whether good or bad.
There is wisdom in guarding our words, but greater wisdom in guarding our hearts and minds. That which we allow our minds to ponder in thought is expressed in our words. For that reason, we do well to make certain that we serve our minds plenty of healthy "thought food". Could anything be more beneficial than to become a form of "living word" - God's word (scripture) "made flesh" in and through us?
The Psalmist states, "Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You." (Psalm 119:11) If our words are determined by our inner thoughts, what could be better than that both be a spring of life, bringing true refreshing and life to others?
May our words bless others this day as they flow from the abundance of God's word and truth in our thoughts.
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 8:18 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home