Wisdom from Proverbs
“A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4, ESV)
A familiar children’s rhyme declares, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” It sounds good, but unfortunately this little rhyme is not true. Yes, sticks and stones can injure us, but so can words. What we say may not leave visible scars, but our words do have the ability to injure another’s spirit. Proverbs 12:18 says words can pierce like a sword. They can cut deep.
Perhaps it is because of the power words hold that we find so many verses in the Bible on the importance of how we speak.
GENTLE WORDS
Acts 18:24-28 briefly tells the story of a man named Apollos. Verse 24 describes him as “an eloquent man and mighty in the scriptures.”
We first meet Apollos as he was speaking and teaching boldly in the synagogue. Although he was very passionate about what he taught, there were things he did not yet understand. He only knew the baptism of John and apparently did not know about Jesus.
Two of those listening as Apollos spoke were Aquila and Priscilla, friends and coworkers of Paul. Realizing that Apollos did not know the full gospel story, they wisely took him aside and “expounded to him the way of God more perfectly.”
What if Aquila and Priscilla had openly criticized or challenged Apollos instead of quietly and lovingly teaching him about the Lord? Their kind, gentle, and respectful words gained a brother, not an adversary. Because of the wise way they spoke to him and instructed him, Apollos became a valuable coworker in the gospel. He became a powerful witness, especially to the Jews. He now understood and taught “by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ” (verse 28).
Proverbs 16:23-24 tells us that “From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive. Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body” (NLT). This verse perfectly describes the way Aquila and Priscilla reached out to Apollos. Because of it, they gained a brother and coworker in the Lord.
THINK, THEN SPEAK
Proverbs 18:21 cautions us that, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” We may not intend to kill someone with our words, but the careless things we say can kill their spirit, their self-confidence, their ambition, or their hope. Our words have power so we must choose them well. The Lord desires that we speak words that will bring health and wholeness to others.
It’s so easy for us to speak first and then realize our words were too sharp, critical, or unkind. We may hurt others without intending to cause harm, but the words have already been spoken. They have been heard, and now we are wondering how to fix this. How much wiser and better to first consider the impact they will have. Are they kind? Encouraging? Christ-like? Will they build up or tear down? Inspire or discourage? Compliment or belittle?
It has been said that an arrow once shot cannot be returned. I believe it is also true that words once spoken cannot be unheard. That is why we must always consider the impact of our words before we speak.
Let this verse be our prayer today:
Let the words of my mouth,
and the meditation of my heart,
be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD,
my strength, and my redeemer.
(Psalm 19:14)
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
