Day 5
Our words can wreak havoc. They can tear down and destroy. But they can also be used to bring life. After all that’s what God’s words do! And as cooperate with the Spirit, he will shape us into someone who, like Jesus, blessed people with his words. Let’s consider a few more ways we can do this.
Read
Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:7 (NIV)
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the hearts of fools are not upright.
Proverbs 16:21–23 (NIV)
21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
and gracious words promote instruction.
Proverbs 10:12–14 (NIV)
12 Hatred stirs up conflict,
but love covers over all wrongs.
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.
14 The wise store up knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.
Ask Yourself
- According to these proverbs, what are some of the ways we can bless others with our words?
- Think about what you know of Jesus from the Gospels. How did he speak? How did people react to his words? Do you recognize him in any of the proverbs we’ve looked at this week? (This weekend, you might want to spend some “bonus time” with God reading through one of the Gospels. Take note of how Jesus spoke to others.)
Read what others say
From Warren Wiersbe:
What we say can help or hurt other people. When we reviewed some of the images of speech found in Proverbs, we learned that our words can bring beauty and value, nourishment, refreshment, and healing to the inner person. But the awesome power of words reveals itself in other positive ways.
Our words can bring peace instead of war. “A soft [gentle] answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov. 15:1, NKJV). “A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel” (v. 18, NIV). Solomon isn’t advising us to compromise the truth and say that what’s wrong is really right. Rather, he’s counseling us to have a gentle spirit and a conciliatory attitude when we disagree with others. This can defuse the situation and make it easier for us to settle the matter peacefully.
Once again, the key issue is the condition of the heart. If there’s war in the heart, then our words will be destructive missiles instead of healing medicines. “But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth” (James 3:14, NKJV). Earthly wisdom advises us to fight for our rights and make every disagreement a win/lose situation, but heavenly wisdom seeks for a win/win situation that strengthens the “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17, NKJV). Applying this wisdom means taking the attitude that’s described in Philippians 2:1–12, the attitude that was practiced by Jesus Christ.
Our words can instruct. “The lips of the wise disperse knowledge” (Prov. 15:7). “The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction” (16:21, NIV). While there are many good and helpful things to learn in this brief life that we have on earth, the most important is the wisdom of God found in the Word of God (8:6–8). “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding” (4:7, NKJV). After we acquire wisdom, we must share it with others, for “wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning” (10:13, NIV).
Explore on your own
Author Doug Britton gives us some practical advice on how we can encourage one another with our words.
Pray
Father, like Jesus, I want to use my words to bless those around me. Forgive me for my careless, mean, or divisive words. Transform my heart so that I can love people the way you love them. Give insight so I know how to respond to each person with words that bring life, and not death. Give me words full of truth and grace and the discernment to know when to speak them. Amen.
Talk about it
- Have you been paying more attention to your words this week? Discuss what you’ve noticed.
Coming next week
What well-known character said this, “Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry”?
Although we don’t turn green and gain super-strength, anger can transform us into something destructive and out of control like the “Hulk.” Next week we’ll explore what Proverbs has to say about anger.
