Wisdom Regarding Speech
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INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Christians are to give careful heed to their speech...
Avoiding corrupt words, speaking that which edifies -
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Abstaining from filthy talk, giving thanks instead -
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
The book of Proverbs has much to say about speech...
The power of speech Both to tear down and to build up -
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: But through knowledge shall the just be delivered. When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: And when the wicked perish, there is shouting. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
[What wisdom can be gleaned from Proverbs concerning our speech or language? First, there is the...]
DESTRUCTIVE USE OF SPEECH
DESTRUCTIVE USE OF SPEECH
LYING...
LYING...
Which is an abomination to God -
Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: But they that deal truly are his delight.
A proud look, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, Feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren.
Lying lips, a lying tongue Bearing false witness Often fostered by hatred -
He that hideth hatred with lying lips, And he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, And layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: For there are seven abominations in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: And he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
In efforts to hide hatred Trying to disguise one's true feelings Which will prove to be short-lived - Pr 12:19
Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; But afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
Just for a moment Sweet at first, but only a fleeting fantasy -- Lying will eventually destroy the liar, and often the one lied about FLATTERY...
Not sincere compliments, but deceitful praise to win another's favor and to manipulate Also a source of ruin
A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A man that flattereth his neighbour Spreadeth a net for his feet.
Often crushing others By entrapping those who are flattered Often used effectively by the adulteress -
To keep thee from the evil woman, From the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, With the flattering of her lips she forced him.
A truly evil woman Who uses enticing speech to seduce -- Like lying, flattery can destroy both the user and subject of it GOSSIP...
Also known as the tale-bearer, slanderer, whisperer -
A talebearer revealeth secrets: But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
Who reveals secrets Unlike a faithful person Betrays and destroys friendships -
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
By repeating a matter When one who truly loves will remain silent Creates strife -
An ungodly man diggeth up evil: And in his lips there is as a burning fire. A froward man soweth strife: And a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: So where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; So is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Revealing the perverse character of the gossip Whose words are like wood to a fire Destroys character and integrity -
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: But through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; And discover not a secret to another: Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, And thine infamy turn not away.
The work of a true hypocrite Whose own reputation will eventually be ruined -- Whether true or not is incidental; gossip destroys both the user and the subject CURSING...
Especially one's parents -
Whoso curseth his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.
Such a person's lamp would soon be put out in deep darkness Under the Law of Moses, it was a capital offense But also another's associate -
Accuse not a servant unto his master, Lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
Even maligning a lowly servant can be disastrous The master (or servant) may turn on you -- Speaking evil of others harms one's self as much as those spoken against [As James tells us in his epistle, there is great danger in misuse of the tongue
For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
But there can also be much good done through proper speech
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: But perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
CONSTRUCTIVE USE OF SPEECH
CONSTRUCTIVE USE OF SPEECH
GOOD WORDS...
GOOD WORDS...
Words of the righteous -
The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
The tongue of the just is as choice silver: The heart of the wicked is little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many: But fools die for want of wisdom.
A well of life As choice silver That feeds many Pleasant words -
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Like a honeycomb Sweetness to the soul, health to the bones Comforting words -
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: But a good word maketh it glad.
Addressed to the anxious and depressed Making their hearts glad -- Such speech reveals the good heart of the speaker TIMELY WORDS...
Well-timed words -
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: And a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
Spoken in due season, how joyful and good it is! Like apples of gold in settings of silver Well-thought words -
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
Studied carefully by a righteous person On how best to answer -- Such speech reveals the wisdom of the speaker CONTROLLED WORDS...
That benefits the one who speaks -
A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: But the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
A soft answer turneth away wrath: But grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: But the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles.
Preserving the life of the one who guards his mouth Defusing potentially violate situations Keeping one's soul from trouble That reveals true knowledge and understanding -
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: But he that refraineth his lips is wise.
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: And a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: And he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
By sparing words, with a calm spirit Which even a fool can benefit from -- Such speech will enhance the reputation of the speaker
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
From Proverbs we learn the value of being careful of our speech...
Avoiding much harm to ourselves and to others Doing much good to ourselves and to others
Which may help us appreciate why Paul was so concerned that Christians...
Let their speech always be with grace -
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Let no unwholesome word come out of their mouths, only good words -
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Do we truly appreciate the importance and wisdom of the right kind of speech...?