Life Lessons from Proverbs

Intro:

This morning we continue to look at life lessons from Proverbs. I want to take a moment to look at an area that has been a great challenge for me in my life personally, and I would imagine that it is likewise an area that is challenging for many.

Have you ever said something that you later regretted? Maybe rashly judging a situation without getting all the details and sharing your predetermined thoughts before you should have. What about blowing up in anger and lashing out verbally only to later wish that you would have stopped to think before you said anything? How about the snarky comment to your spouse that you know will cut deeply, but for some reason you say it anyway.

I can’t tell you how many times I have lived out scenarios like these personally. So many seasons of my life have been filled with what I like to call foot in mouth disease. Its a bad condition where your words cause you to open your mouth and stick your foot in it.

I remember as a teenager never seeming to be able to keep quiet matters that needed to be private. I was constantly speaking out of turn, and readily gossiping about every part of my life and others.

Early on in my marriage the intensity and harshness of my words were so tough that my wife had to write me hand written letters to express how she felt. I seemed to have a volatile response to just about everything.

As I began to study the word of God more intensively in my late teens and early twenties the book of Proverbs along with many others brought conviction to my life concerning the words of my mouth. What I have learned through my studies is that God cares more deeply about my speech than I realized.

I want to take a few moments this morning to have a transparent conversation about the importance of what comes out of our mouths, and the power of our words.

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Submit:

What do compliments, advice, insults, instructions, lies, grumbling and truth all have in common? They are all types of powerful words.

Words seem like such a small thing, but the reality is they have great impact.

Whether it be in the form of verbal speech or written communication, it is important for us to recognize the weight our words carry and the consequences, both positive and negative, that can result. The Bible has a lot to say when it comes to words and how to wisely handle both our hearts and mouths.

Words are not simply sounds vocalized by our mouths. Words have real power. God spoke the world into being by the power of His words (Hebrews 11:3). Humans are made in God’s image, and our words also have power.

To be clear, I am not saying that we are God with the ability to create a universe by our words, but our words do shape the nature of our world around us. They do more than convey information; they have an impact on us and the people around us.

Our words have the power to destroy and the power to build up. Proverbs 12:6.

“The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.”

Our words have the power of life and death. Proverbs 18:21.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”

The question then arises. Are we using words to build up people or destroy them? Are they being filled with hate or love, bitterness or blessing, complaining or compliments, lust or love, victory or defeat?

God’s desire is that our words would produce life. Proverbs 10:11.

“The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.”

The power of our words can burden one’s spirit, even stir up hatred and violence. Words can exacerbate wounds and inflict them directly. Yet they can also build up and be life-giving. The ability to communicate through the spoken word is a unique and powerful gift from God we must steward it with wisdom.

This why God instructs us in Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

For most of us, there has been a time where words have impacted us for good. It could have been when a parent told you they were proud of you, or maybe you were given a compliment by someone and it meant a lot to you. The gracious nature of these words build you up and encourage you.

On the other hand, many of us have felt the injury of words before as well. Maybe it was the criticism of a parent or close friend. Or the harsh words of a coach or instructor in your life. The sharpness of these words often negatively effect ones self perception and identity.

The reality that words have so much influence should cause us to give careful attention to what we say.

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Apply:

Basic Instructions for healthy communication.

- Guard you Speech. Ephesians 4:29.

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

The words that proceed from our mouth are a revelation of what is in our heart.

Jesus makes a statement that is recorded in Luke 6:45 & Matthew 12:34-35 which says, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

To guard your speech effectively you will have to guard your heart first.

Remember that what you listen to, watch, and give your attention to will find its way to your heart. If you surround yourself with negative things, gossip, lies, and ungodly things they will ultimately root themselves in you and come out of you. The good or evil will cause the issues in your life.

- Know when to quit speaking. Proverbs 10:19–20.

“In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; The heart of the wicked is worth little.”

In our culture we have freedom of speech of which I am thankful for, but there is a place for wisdom to show us the freedom we also have to refrain from speaking. There are some moments in life when people do not need our words, but our presence. (Example: Job)

Job was one of those people. He lost everything. His friends started by just sitting with him, but it eventually shifted to their condemning of Job. All they did was heap wrongful judgement on his life. It was better that they simply showed up and offered support.

- Use your words to build up others. Proverbs 10:21.

“The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom.” Proverbs 10:31 “The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, But the perverse tongue will be cut out.”

We can build others up by esteeming and encouraging them. Hebrews 10:24–25.

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Use your words to point out the good things you see, and not just the negative.

- Be trustworthy. Proverbs 11:13 .

“A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.”

There is nothing worse than one who attacks the reputation of another through slander. Choose to believe the best in people. Every one of us are on a journey of transformation in the kingdom. We should believe the best and pray for one another, not have a critical spirit and destroy each other in the process.

- Be Gracious. Proverbs 16:24.

“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.”

As believers, our words should be life-giving. We should use our words to graciously build others up. The Bible makes it very clear the value in having kind and thoughtful words rather then quick ones. Colossians 4:6.

Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

Even with people we do not necessarily like, our words of kindness and love can make a difference. We won’t always know if our words were enough to soften someone’s heart, but we can trust in the promises of God’s word as we are showing love toward others.

- Choose a soft answer over harsh words. Proverbs 15:1.

“A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.”

When we use harsh words and attitudes, it can create anger and bitterness in others around us. Proverbs tells us that a gentle or soft answer is better and will help us avoid unnecessary conflict.

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Closing:

There will undoubtedly be times when we mess up. We will say the wrong thing, and we won’t be able to take back what we said. What do we do in these moments? We can repent and seek forgiveness. We also renew our mind to make a change for the future where we don’t repeat the same mistakes.

Knowing that our words our powerful should give us the motivation to reign in our speech. If for some reason that is not enough here is another vantage point that should cause us to make the needed changes.

Jesus said in Matthew 12:36–37 that we will give an account on the day of judgment for every idle word that we speak.

Matthew 12:36-37 “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

The good news is that we have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of us. He will guide and lead us into all truth. If we simply ask Him, He will help us reign in any area of our speech that needs it. He will also instruct us through wisdom how we should respond.

Today, let us choose to bring life through the words that we speak.

Let’s Pray!

Holy Spirit help us.

Salvation.