Proverbs 15 has a lot to say about ‘what I say…’
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the hearts of fools are not upright.
8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—
and how good is a timely word!
26 The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but gracious words are pure in his sight.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.
The 80s rock band Missing Persons asked the question “What are words for?” Jesus said that every idle word would be evaluated by God. My words matter to God. They have great power. So He wants me to not only think godly thoughts, but speak godly words. If I do, look at what follows… wrath is turned away, adornment (and spreading) of knowledge, soothing tree of life, a pleasing prayer, an apt reply, a purity in God’s sight, an attentive ear from the Lord, and health to the bones.
How are my words? They do reflect my heart… they give me away, so to speak. I believe my words are uplifting, but I am not seeing the full fruit come from this area of my life.
God, I would like my words to produce what’s described in this proverb. Would you help me by the power of Your Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts into words that please You today?
