Wisdom In What We Say
Lessons From Proverbs • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
Greetings…
From a young age you and I have probably sang the children’s song “Oh Be Careful” whether it was in bible class, VBS, or at home.
Oh, be careful, Little Mouth, what you say.
Oh, be careful, Little Mouth, what you say.
For the Father up above is looking down in love,
So be careful, Little Mouth, what you say.
It, of course, had other verse about our “Little Eyes, Little Ears, and Little Hands.”
While we may think of this song as a “children’s song,” this has a very serious message for adults as well.
What we say is important and can have eternal consequences.
Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 12:33-37.
33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Though we don’t find this exact phraseology in the book of Proverbs we do find the emphasis and dangers of talking foolishly.
The wise men of Israel, inspired by God, give three basic guidelines to having “Wisdom In What We Say.”
The first guideline that we must recognize is…
The Power Of The Tongue
The Power Of The Tongue
We Will Reap What We Sow.
We Will Reap What We Sow.
In Proverbs 18:20 we read…
20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
This suggests that “what we say” and when we say it” can have an impact on our life.
In other words, knowing when to speak and knowing what to say at the proper time is vital helping us obtain things we need life like “getting a job, closing a sale, making a good trade, etc.,…
If we sow wisdom in what we say and when we say it we will reap the benefits.
Proverbs 18:21 we read…
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
In other words, we should be careful what we say, because we will “eat the fruit of our words” whether for good or for ill.
We will reap what we sow in what we say!!!
The phrase “death and life are in the power of the tongue” is not an exaggeration is it.
Which is why the old childhood rhyme of “sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is a total lie.
Let’s look at that idea for a moment.
Sticks & Stones.
Sticks & Stones.
You and I know how easy it is to destroy someone’s reputation with a few destructive words whether they are true or not.
We are living in an era when innuendo and accusations are thrown around with little consideration of their ultimate effect.
The reality is a timely placed innuendo or accusation can “crush the one it is hurled at.”
14 A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
Battered women often report that the worst thing about spousal abuse isn’t the physical beatings, but the demeaning and cruel words aimed at curing their spirit.
Cyber-bullying among children has become a major issue in our society for one precise reason, cruel words can be devastating.
They can lead to social isolation, psychological pain, and even suicide.
In the same way we can easily say an encouraging work can change the course a person takes in life we can say about a cruel word.
Words alone led to the great Eli’s death.
In 1 Samuel 4:12-18, Eli finds out his sons have been killed in battle and upon then hearing the “ark of the Lord” had been captured he fell backwards in such shock he broke his neck and died.
It wasn’t that Eli witnessing his sons death or watched the ark being removed from his hands, no it was simply words that distressed him so much it brought about his death.
However, in the same way “what we say” has the power to destroy, alienate, and even kill, it also has the tremendous power for good.
With that in mind let’s examine power of what we say by way of…
Good & Evil.
Good & Evil.
As we have been saying and as the book of Proverbs continuously points out, “there is great power in the tongue of mankind.”
What we say can erect barriers between us as Proverbs 18:19 points out.
19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
However, what we say can also bring people together and bind us together forever.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. 12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
Here we see that a “word fitly spoken” is compared to a beautiful piece of jewelry.
The word “fitly” here is meant to convey the idea that a “word said in just the right way” is a beautiful thing that helps the one speaking get his message across more effectively.
For example Proverbs 25:15 states…
15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
The idea here isn’t dealing with a flattering tongue but a gentle tongue that can “say the right thing to persuade even a king.”
Though the tongue is soft it has the power to “break bones.”
Another example of this is Proverbs 25:25.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
Think of the great encouragement one gets by the right words when they had been feeling defeated.
Think of the great comfort one gets by the right words when one is struggling with grief.
It’s no wonder the book of wisdom declares in Proverbs 12:25…
25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
The reality is there is no question that the use of words can make a difficult situation either better or worse.
1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
Because “what we say” can either douse a flame like water or cause it to explode like gasoline, it’s important that we keep our tongue in control.
Simply put “what we say” can lead to numerous sins.
We can lie.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
Of the seven things God hates, “three of them” have to do with what we say.
Proverbs 6:16–19 (ESV)
16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
What about gossip or slander.
8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
10 Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.
Notice that “not slandering” can be a matter of self-preservation as it can backfire on you.
12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. 13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
Did you catch that?
The one gossiping thinks they are telling the “dirt” on someone else but in reality they are speaking volumes about their character and their lack to trustworthiness.
Summary
Summary
The tongue or “what we say” has a powerful impact on our lives and the lives of others.
We must always strive to cease control of our tongue.
The second “guideline of the book of proverbs” concerning “what we say” is that we must…
Always Watch The Tongue
Always Watch The Tongue
Not Just Sometimes.
Not Just Sometimes.
This isn’t a “sometimes” situation but rather a constant situation.
We all have had those times were we wish we hadn’t said anything.
The book of Proverbs is filled with passages about the need to “always stay diligently in control of our tongue.”
3 By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
A great illustration of someone “not paying attention to what he said” can be found in 2 Samuel 1:1-16.
After Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle with the Amalekites, one of Saul’s soldiers found David and reported their deaths.
David asked the man how he knew they had died and the young man proceeded to lie.
Now we know that Jonathan was killed in battle and Saul took his own life.
This messenger wanted to make himself look good and like a hero to David whom he no doubt knew Saul hated.
What this man didn’t account for was David’s loyalty to “God’s anointed” Saul and David had this man killed for killing the LORD’s anointed.
We better control “what we say” all the time.
To do this we must…
Filter The Tongue.
Filter The Tongue.
The old proverb, “It is better to let people assume you for a fool then to open your mouth and remove all doubt,” holds so true even to today.
When we don’t filter our “opinions” and present them as “facts” we show our foolishness.
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
This is why James is so adamant about being…
James 1:19 (ESV)
19 …quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger
This is where the old proverb that says, “God made us with two ears and one mouth so that we listen twice as much as we talk.”
Two other proverbs talk about the trouble fools make for themselves when they don’t filter their tongue.
6 A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. 7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. 2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
Summary
Summary
Watching what we say isn’t a “sometimes” situation but an always situation.
We must be vigilant in “always” striving to filter what we say with the wisdom from above.
The third “guideline of the book of proverbs” concerning “what we say” is that we must harness…
The Power Of Silence
The Power Of Silence
Talking Too Much.
Talking Too Much.
There is such a thing as “talking too much.”
The proverb writer says in Proverbs 10:19-21…
19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. 20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. 21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.
Considering it is the case that the “more we talk” the “more likely we are to sin,” it only makes sense that we learn to be silent more than speaking.
Perhaps this is why Proverbs 17:28 says…
28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
Humorist, Sam Levenson once said, “It’s so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don’t say it.”
The proverb writer says it in a similar way in Proverbs 27:14…
14 Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing.
Maybe it’s not that simple, but the easiest way to not say foolish things is to remind ourselves of the power of silence.
According to the book of Proverbs, silence isn’t just golden but it’s also powerful.
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
Being silent can actually “put out fires or quench quarrels.
Summary
Summary
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Conclusion
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the gift of speech is a wonderful blessing from God.
With it we praise God, tell others of Jesus, God’s saving grace, lift up the spirits of the downtrodden, and even rebuke wrongdoing.
As God’s children we just have to learn how to use this gift wisely.
Remember the words of James in James 3:5-10.
5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,
8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
“Oh be careful little mouth what you say.”
Invitation
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.