Day 2 

Lisa Scheffler, author

There’s nothing like a good metaphor to help make the transcendent more relatable. The Bible is full of metaphors. We are taught to think of God as our good shepherd, and also as our rock and fortress. Very different images, but both help us understand who God is.

Proverbs is full of metaphors too. Today, let’s look at some of the ones related to speech. A metaphor is a comparison, so noticed what’s being compared. Remember, proverbs are tightly packed with meaning, so slow down and ponder what’s being said. Take some time to reflect.

Read

Proverbs 10:20 (NIV)

²⁰ The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,

but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

Proverbs 25:12 (NIV)

¹² Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold

is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.

Proverbs 10:11 (NIV)

¹¹ The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,

but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Proverbs 18:4 (NIV)

⁴ The words of the mouth are deep waters,

but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

Proverbs 15:4 (NIV)

⁴ The soothing tongue is a tree of life,

but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)

²⁴ Gracious words are a honeycomb,

sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 10:21 (NIV)

²¹ The lips of the righteous nourish many,

but fools die for lack of sense.

Proverbs 12:6 (NIV)

⁶ The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,

but the speech of the upright rescues them.

Ask yourself

• What comparisons do you see above? What is good speech like? What is evil speech like?
• Which of these proverbs stand out to you? Which one could you spend more time meditating on? What is the Spirit saying to you through these proverbs?

Read what others say

From Warren Wiersbe:

The images used in Proverbs for human speech indicate the value of this divine gift that we not only take for granted but too often waste and abuse. Wise words are compared to gold and silver. “The tongue of the just is like choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth” (Prov. 10:20). “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear” (25:11–12, NIV). Our words ought to be as balanced, beautiful, and valuable as the most precious jewelry; we ought to work as hard as the craftsman to make them that way. (See Ecc. 12:9–11.)

Words are also like refreshing water. “The mouth of a righteous man is a well [fountain] of life” (Prov. 10:11). “The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook” (18:4, NKJV). When we listen to and appropriate the words of a godly person, it’s like taking a drink of refreshing water. “The law of the wise is a fountain of life” (13:14), and “the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life” (14:27). But it isn’t enough for the wise to speak to us; we must be prepared to listen. “Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it” (16:22, NKJV). The soil of the heart must be prepared and the seed of the Word planted, or the water won’t do us much good.

Right words are like nourishing, health-giving food. “The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit” (15:4, NIV). What a wonderful thing it is to say the right words and help to heal a broken spirit! The phrase, “tree of life,” means “source of life” and goes back to Genesis 2:9. “The lips of the righteous feed many” (Prov. 10:21; see 18:20). “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones” (16:24, NKJV; see Ps. 119:103). “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Prov. 12:18, NIV; see 12:14; 13:2).

The Apostle Paul considered biblical doctrine to be “healthy doctrine” (“sound doctrine,” kjv) that nourishes the believer’s spiritual life. He warned Timothy to beware of anything that was “contrary to sound [healthy] doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:10), and he reminded him that the time would come when professed Christians wouldn’t “endure sound [healthy] doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:3). Spiritual leaders are to use sound doctrine to exhort the careless and rebuke the deceivers (Titus 1:9–10; 2:1). The words of Jesus are “wholesome [healthy] words,” but the words of false teachers are “sick” (1 Tim. 6:3–4, see NIV). “Their teaching will spread like gangrene” (2 Tim. 2:17, NIV), but God’s words are “life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh” (Prov. 4:22, NKJV).

The Christian who recognizes how awesome is the gift of speech will not abuse that gift but will dedicate it to the glory of God. The New Testament scholar Bishop B.F. Westcott wrote, “Every year makes me tremble at the daring with which people speak of spiritual things.” We all need to heed the words of Solomon: “Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few” (Ecc. 5:2, NKJV).^[1]

Pray

We want our speech to be like refreshing water and nourishing food. We want to speak wise words that are worth silver and gold. We need the Holy Spirit to give us knowledge, wisdom, and a heart that loves God and others.

A contaminated well cannot provide clean water and barren fields can’t produce crops. Careless or empty words are worthless. We cannot speak out of that which we do not have. That’s why Proverbs tells us that wisdom begins with God and requires us to have a healthy fear of the Lord so he can cultivate wisdom in us.

Pray over your walk with him today. How are you growing in your relationship with God? Ask the Spirit to lead you to love, trust and rely on him more.

Talk about it

• Discuss the metaphors above. Talk about what they mean and how you can apply each proverb.

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Skillful, “Be” Commentary Series (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 112–114.