Pondered Speech

Introduction:

Have you ever said something without thinking? Have you ever spoken to hastily? Thinking back to my freshman year, there are probably a couple times that happened. Many times we laugh about these blunders, but how what does God think about when we choose to speak without thinking.

proposition: God wants us to ponder our words.

transition: How does the Bible instruct us in this area?

preview: The Righteous man and the wicked man.

I. The Righteous

His heart

His approach to his speach

studies - This has the idea of meditating on something or pondering something.

We must be precise with our words, not careless.

Our words must be intentional.

prayer is implied

The heart is the source.

- But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

cross-reference Illustration

“For the heart’s study to answer necessarily implies prayer, the only medium of receiving the “wisdom that is profitable to direct.” - Charles Bridges

Many of you know the story of Nehemiah. Nehemiah was charged with the rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, but he first had to bring his request before the king. When Nehemiah first got the news, he was heartbroken. However, he did not immediately run to the king.

For the heart’s study to answer necessarily implies prayer, the only medium of receiving the “wisdom that is profitable to direct.”

2:2 - Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid, 3 And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire? 4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.

“For the heart’s study to answer necessarily implies prayer, the only medium of receiving the “wisdom that is profitable to direct.” - Charles Bridges

He finally Answers

cross-reference

“ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”

II. The Wicked

This gives us a more specific purpose in why we should ponder what we think

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and pfear:

We must be intentional

In setting God apart in our hearts

In being ready to give an answer of the hope

The purpose is to point people to the hope we have in Christ

We must do this with meekness and fear

meekness- strength under control

fear - sense of terror, to be afraid.

cross-reference Illustration

1:3 - And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. 4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, 5 And said, I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven…

2:2 - Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid, 3 And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire? 4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

transition: Let’s look at the opposite of the righteous

II. The Wicked

There is no contemplation in his heart.

He does not take thought of what he will say, nor does he care what comes out. His heart is wicked.

Pours out evil things - Proverbs 15:2

Pours- to gush forth. This implies a great amount coming out.

How often to we find ourselves exaggerating things, not telling the truth, our responding in anger just because we spoke to hastily.

- But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

evil comes out of his mouth. This is the result of someone who does not ponder there words

If God wants us to ponder our words before we say them, It makes sense that the person who does not do this pours out things that are the opposite of God.

If God wants us to ponder our words before we say them, It makes sense that the person who does not do this pours out things that are the opposite of God.

Conclusion

God wants us to ponder our thoughts. The righteous meditates on his words before speaking. He does this in order to speak what God wants him to. We should always use our words to point others back to Christ. He is our hope. However, the wicked does not take the time to ponder his words, but spues out evil. He does not take thought about what God wants him to say.

Does your speech echo the righteous or the wicked. Do you ponder the advice you give to people, the messages you preach, the way you speak to people, or simply in your everyday speech.