Tuesday: Words, Again
Read Proverbs 18:1-24. Though different themes are presented here, focus on what it has to say about our words. What important concepts are presented here regarding what we do or do not say?
Image © John Baker from GoodSalt.com
We are again confronted with the reality and power of words; in this case we see how fools use their mouths to their own undoing. Proverbs 18:13 is especially enlightening. How easy is it to speak out before carefully listening and discerning what has been said to us. How many times might we have spared ourselves, and others, undue pain and strife if we had only learned to think through carefully what we had just heard before responding to it. There is indeed a time when silence is the best response.
Read Proverbs 18:4. Why are the words of the wise like deep waters?
The image of deep waters
is used positively in the book of Proverbs to represent wisdom (Prov. 20:5). It conveys the idea of quiet, but also of profundity and riches. The wise are not superficial. They draw their words from the depths of personal reflection and experience. Who hasn’t marveled sometimes at the deep thoughts and insights from those who obviously have wisdom and knowledge?
Read Proverbs 18:21. What does it mean?
Proverbs again tells us what we should already know: our words are powerful, and they can be a force for good or evil, even life and death. How careful we need to be, then, with how we use this powerful tool.
Think about a time someone’s words hurt you in a terrible way. What should this have taught you about how powerful words are? What should it teach you about how careful you need to be with what you say?
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Prov 18:
4The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
10The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
13He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
I am by God's grace, learning that it's not all situations that call for a word from me.
It's a good thing to be "conservative" with words, becos wen we offend others, we harden their hearts and though they may be christians and must respond as Christians, we can not blame them if they become too hard to win back Prov 18:19. Of course being conservative does not mean being "removed" from situations.
The time of silence toward man must not be an idle time but a time of dialogue (both talking to and listening to) with God Prov 18:10.
This dialogue is such a rich experience that wen time to break the silence toward man comes, one is ripe to deliver words that are of value and not words to regret.
They may not be regarded of value by everyone but that won't reduce their value becos they will have been guided by the Master.
Just as important is the written word-our posts on social networks, our texts, etc. That we be carefull, even more, coz such written words are just as powerfull, read by all who can. This quarter's lesson is so usefull.
definitely 🙂
There's someone who once said 'I don't judge people by what they say, talk is cheap; I judge by what they write because more than often, when we speak we rarely think twice, but when we write, we think, then write, then re-read it.'
I believe that God has clearly revealed that of all the words that can be spoken, only a sanctified heart/life can bring forth sanctified words, and will bring them in dues season. Whether it be words, actions, responses, motives, and much more that we exhibit, they are only symptoms of a sinful heart or evidences of a sanctified heart. The wise man bids us "keep your heart with all diligence". If we give our heart to the Lord, He will keep it for us. Isn't this our greatest battle every day?
If our wisdom comes from God who gives liberally, it will be from His boundless and infinite wisdom, and we will never fail of revealing it to others.
On Prov 18:21, we will reap what we have sown.
I pray that my words be like the river in the picture, straight from the source, pure, refreshing, nourishing, peaceful.
Words are so powerful that God spoke the world into existance in six days. Throughout the bible God uses words to speak to his creation. Our words must be carefully chosen so that we will not cause someone to stumble in any manner. I can recall words spoken to me many years ago that had a huge impact on my life. At this point in my life I am thankful for God's grace and mercy. I am thankful for the word of God that was spoken to me during the moments in my life that were difficult and uncertain.
I have discovered that I torture myself by playing over and over again in my mind negative words said to me, often long after that person has forgotten she said it. In this way I give that person more negative power over me.
What I have found that works to banish these unwanted thoughts is to recite over and over to myself 3 passages of scripture that I have memorized like the 23rd Psalms. This reminds me of what the LORD thinks of me and His care and concern for me which is more important and more powerful than anyone on earth.
Shirley - Thanks for your comments. I will begin to apply God's word to unwanted thoughts that try to take control of my thoughts. (especially the negative ones). We can not control what people say or do but we can control how we respond to them by applying God's word. "It is Written" Thanks.
God used the power of word to creat the universe. this outlines the effectiveness of words in creation. using this same tool, true followers of christ have opportunity to creat more of christians by saying only the words that build oneself and others for heavenly kingdom.
We should also be careful with the words we speak when we are angry with someone.it is much better to keep quite,cam down,pray or sing a hymn this saves a lot