Choose Joy

It’s no secret that I love to laugh. Laughter filled my childhood home, and I hope my children remember their early years as cheerful. I am convinced the Lord has a great sense of humor and that He wants His people to laugh loudly and often. So our study about the constructive use of the mouth concludes on that light note. 5. A good sense of humor

A Tool for Good

We continue today our examination of constructive speech. While the tongue can cause great damage to relationships and even entire communities, wise use of speech can strengthen relationships and unite people behind divine truth. Preachers, teachers, and evangelists possess this sobering potential. 4. Witnessing, teaching, comforting

Friendly Wounds

As we continue to examine the five kinds of constructive speech noted in the book of Proverbs, we must accept that not all constructive speech is pleasant. In fact, the most helpful use of the tongue can be quite uncomfortable for everyone involved—the speaker, the hearer, and bystanders. Moreover, pleasant, soothing words given in the wrong context can lead to disaster.

Wise Words

Solomon considered both the negative and positive uses of the tongue: The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly. (Proverbs 15:2) The lips of the wise spread knowledge, But the hearts of fools are not so. (15:7) Just as we found five destructive uses of the tongue, so we find five ways “the lips of the wise” can benefit others.

A Positive Turn

Solomon said so much about the tongue it’s impossible to digest all that wisdom in one week. And because this slippery little fellow we call the tongue gives us so much trouble so often, it’s fitting that we return to the subject for a second look, this time from a more positive perspective. Last week we examined several reasons to bridle the tongue.

Don’t Talk; Connect

An old aphorism states, “’Tis better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak up and remove all doubt.” I can personally vouch for this straightforward advice. In fact, it has solid biblical support. The book of Proverbs warns against this overlooked verbal danger: verbosity. The wise of heart will receive commands, But a babbling fool will be ruined. (10:8)

Self-Promotion

As you continue your attentive listening this week, keep your ears open for another kind of offensive, unproductive speech. It might seem like a minor problem, but I assure you, the Scriptures take this seriously. I’m referring to boasting, to speech or activities that assume a place of superiority over others. 4. Boasting

Poisonous Words

[Sunday] we examined two kinds of destructive speech that attempt to achieve ulterior motives. When we flatter someone, we deceive that person in order to gain an advantage for ourselves. When we gossip, we lower people in the eyes of others. Both involve deception. Today we will consider destructive confrontation. While it is direct and open, unlike the cowardly ways of flattery and gossip, the effect is nonetheless harmful.

Speech That Wounds

Take a few moments to review Proverbs 15:2, which we will use as our outline as we discuss the destructive use of the tongue. [Saturday] we will concentrate on constructive uses of speech. I have never known anyone who has not, at some time, struggled to keep his or her tongue under control. Because we are fallen, sinful, selfish creatures, we naturally use words to serve our own interests—often at the expense of others.

The Most Dangerous Part

Solomon had a lot to say about what we say. In fact, tongue, mouth, lips, and words occur almost 150 times in Proverbs. On average, a reference to speech appears five times in each of the thirty-one chapters. Seems to me any subject mentioned that often calls for extended attention in our examination of the book of Proverbs. So we will devote two weeks to the topic of wise uses of the tongue.

Tag Archives: Proverbs