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The Tongue In Proverbs
The Tongue In Proverbs
Derek Kidner noted that "as many as three out of the seven abominations listed in 6:16-19 are examples of the misuse of words." Proverbs, therefore, gives much attention to the use of the tongue.
The POWER of the Tongue is dangerous because communication matters.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Prov. 18:21)
God gives us knowledge and wisdom by communication to us.
“For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Prov. 2:6)
The tongue is the instrument of such communication and thus the instrument of instruction, reproof, correction.
“A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word!” (Prov. 15:23)
“Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to a listening ear.” (Prov. 25:12)
As Kidner pointed out: "Above all, beliefs and convictions are formed by words, and these either destroy a man or are the making of him."*
“With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.” (Prov. 11:9)
With our words we communicate love and bring joy into people's lives:
“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” (Prov. 16:24, RSV)
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances.” (Prov. 25:11)
With our words we also communicate evil and cause problems and discord:
“A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire.” (Prov. 16:27)
“A worthless person, a wicked man, Is the one who walks with a perverse mouth, Who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, Who points with his fingers; Who with perversity in his heart continually devises evil, Who spreads strife.” (Prov. 6:12–14)
Words are known to express the character of our heart: the heart of the righteous produces righteous words and the heart of the evil produces evil words.
“The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver, The heart of the wicked is worth little.” (Prov. 10:20)
“A trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness utters lies.” (Prov. 14:5)
“He who speaks truth tells what is right, But a false witness, deceit.” (Prov. 12:17)
As we learned from Jesus: "Out of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt. 15:18).
Words, once put forth, can not be taken back. The injury is to the heart and the wounds leave scars. Long after they are spoken, the words ring in our ears. Yes, we can apologize, but the ghost of the injury persists.
We need then
1) to be slow to speak - to think and contemplate before we speak:
“The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.” (Prov. 15:28)
“This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;” (James 1:19)
As the Psalmist declared:
“I said, “I will guard my ways That I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle While the wicked are in my presence.”” (Psalm 39:1)
2) speak that which builds up rather than tears down and destroys:
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29)
3) to use our communication to bring praise and glory unto our Creator and Savior:
“With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the Lord; And in the midst of many I will praise Him.” (Psalm 109:30)
How are you using your tongue?
Hugh DeLong
