Just a Thought! - 6 August 2012

"There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." (Proverbs 12:18)

In our journey in looking at our speech in the book of Proverbs, we come to the third important aspect of speech - How we should speak. It is not enough to restrain our tongue, nor is it enough to only speak the wisdom of God, it is also important how we say the things that we should be saying.

Death by the Sword

I do not think that any of us would ever justify the killing of another person by the sword. But how many times do our words cut through the the heart of a person and destroy them? We may say the right things, but we say them in a manner that destroys.

For example, it is right to say that we are all sinners and do not deserve to go to Heaven, and that the only way to eternal life is through Jesus. However, these words can have a number of responses, positive or negative, depending on how you say it. You can say it in a way that causes a conviction within one's spirit that turns them towards the Gospel, or you can say it tactlessly that makes people turn their backs on Christianity and want to have nothing to do with it. This is a truth that we need to remember in evangelism situations. We need to tell the truth, but we need to make sure that we do not say it in a manner that will cause destruction of a person.

Gentle Words

Probably one of the most well-known proverbs concerning the tongue is Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." It always takes two people to have a disagreement, and during such times, it so often happens that one person says something that later they wished they had not said. Something that cut to the heart of the other person and caused some damage. This is often worsened by the other person when they respond in a like manner, which only adds fuel to the fire.

It is difficult on many of these occasions to keep a tight reign on one's tongue and not to say harsh things. When we have been hurt by something someone has said or done to us, it is so easy to react with harsh words. However, if we live a life that is filled with the wisdom of God that we learn about in His Word, as we seek His face in prayer, and earnestly work at growing our relationship with Him, it becomes so much easier to say things in a more loving way.

As we grow in our love for Christ, the more the love will show in our relationships with others. Think about how Jesus showed His love to the people around Him as He walked this earth. Even though He was God in the flesh, He showed His love firstly to the Father by obeying His commands, seeking His face in prayer, and doing the very things that He saw His Father doing. As a result, Jesus expressed love for the people like no other person ever has, or ever will.

The same is true for us. If we learn to love God the same way Jesus loves His Father, that love will fuel our love for others and the words that we speak, though they may be hard for people to swallow, will be expressions of our love.

Watch How You Speak

So as you go about your life, think about how you speak to people. No matter who they are, or how they have treated you in the past, the way you speak to them today will have an influence on them for the future. Earnestly desire to speak in a manner that gives life, that provide healing in the midst of hurt, and that build up and encourage.

You will be surprised at the results, but more on that at a later stage.

Just a Thought!

© 2012