Proverbs 10
Be Wise with Your Words!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, October 16.
I wonder if my kindergarten teacher was paraphrasing a proverb when she corrected me, “Jerry, if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” The reality is that our words reflect what is going on inside of us. When we are angry, we use hurtful words. When we are content, we use kind words. In today’s chapter, Proverbs 10:12-13, 18-21, Solomon described this reality of our words, and their effects on others:
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions. On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding. … He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who spreads slander is a fool. When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver, the heart of the wicked is worth little. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of understanding.
Words have power, so be wise with your words. In Proverbs 18:21, Solomon explained the true power of words, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” He previously taught in Proverbs 4:23-24, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put devious speech far from you.” Solomon had a lot to say about words, so let’s get to the heart of the matter: words reflect our hearts. So, invite God to remove the hatred, wickedness, and foolishness from your life, and you will speak words of love.
God bless you!
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