Words matter but what are we to do after last Wednesday?
Well, as far as the nation is concerned, I don’t know.
I only know about me.
I’ve shared a number of times that I read through Proverbs every month, not to impress you. I do it for me because I need to be constantly reminded about my words.
And never more than now.
Our words matter after last Wednesday
The Proverbs have more to say about our word choice than any other book in the Bible.
Especially verses from Proverbs 15 and 16.
Gracious words are pure in God’s sight.
15 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the hearts of fools are not upright.
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—
and how good is a timely word!
26 The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but gracious words are pure in his sight.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
Gracious words are a honeycomb.
1 To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
and his mouth does not betray justice.
21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
and gracious words promote instruction.[c]
23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,
and their lips promote instruction.[d]
24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
27 A scoundrel plots evil,
and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.
30 Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity;
whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.
Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
In conclusion:
There are no easy and simple answers. And anytime there aren’t, that’s when it comes down to us and our words and our actions.
We are all called to spread peace and to BE peace.
For me, that means that one particular fruit of the spirit, is evidenced in my life during this time of unrest and uncertainty.
“Forbearance” is how it reads in the NASB. I looked up the words for forbearance and they include, self-restraint, tolerance, and patience. Just think how last week might never have happened had we all practiced the forbearance and gentle speech that Proverbs clearly outline for us.
But I can only influence and change me.
You can only influence and change you.
May God bless you today as you seek to follow Christ and practice forbearance.
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