October 13

The One Year Bible reading reading for today from the Book of Proverbs chapter twenty-five teaches us four important things about the words we speak:

1. Right words spoken at the right time are extremely valuable. (“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” vs. 11)

Even the right words must spoken at the right time in order to achieve the right effect. As we allow the Holy Spirit to fill and control us, He helps us know what to say and when to say it.

2. When wise people speak corrective words to us, they are doing us a great favor. (“Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear. vs. 12)

Criticism is never easy to take, but well-intentioned criticism can be a very helpful teacher if we evaluate it honestly and sincerely by asking ourselves the question, “What lesson can I learn from my critic?” Sometimes even unfounded criticism reveals an area of our life that needs our attention. This helps us become a better person.

3. Accurately quoting someone else’s words honors and blesses them. (“Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him. vs. 13)

Not everything we hear said should be shared with others. When it is appropriate to quote someone, it is very important to accurately convey what they said, not what we think they meant. If we state conclusions we have drawn from their words, we should clearly distinguish between what they actually said and what we have come to think. To do otherwise is to risk misrepresenting their intent or even besmirching their character and reputation.

4. We should be very careful to never promise something we may be unable to deliver. (Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give. vs. 14)

I once heard it said, “If you don’t toot your own horn it may never be tooted.” Scripture exhorts us to very different perspective regarding our own abilities and experience: “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. (Proverbs 27:2 NIV)

As the Apostle James makes very clear in the New Testament, controlling our tongue is never an easy thing to do, but it is a very important part of being a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. 

Join me today in praying for the Holy Spirit to help us control our tongues and for Hillcrest Church to be a place where words always edify and never destroy!

We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. (James 3:2-8)