Proverbs Pt. 54 Choose wise words instead of foolish ones.

 Wholesome words and Godly conversations continue to be a recurring theme in the book of Proverbs. We will see some more contrasts and examples of good or bad usages of  words in this post.

The Foolish and the Wise.

Proverbs 12:15-17  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. 16) A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. 17)  He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. 

Why are there so many problems in the world today? Because people do not seek the wisdom from God in order to have a right worldview. The fool is not just an ignorant person. The fool rejects wisdom, especially wisdom from God. The fool mocks all those that he disagrees and frequently quarrels with. Therefore, the fool always thinks that he is right and follows the lusts in his heart. A fool is an angry person and his fury emerges quickly when things to not go his way. 

The wise man or woman is a person who listens to those who offer God's wisdom because they want to honor Him. A prudent man is a sensible minded man who knows what God commands and who will live by what God says in His Word. In living a God honoring life, the prudent man deflects shame because he is not making bad moral decisions. The wise person speaks forth the righteousness of God into a dark culture that really needs to hear truth.

Words can build up or tear down.

Proverbs 12:18  There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. 

This simple text is a good reminder to be aware of the power of words. Once we say something that we did not really mean or that we did not intend to say, we cannot get the words back. Words spoken thoughtlessly can cause great distress and hurt feelings which is why the text refers to words that pierce like a sword. The simple application of this truth is think before we speak. 

Words spoken by a wise person are emotionally and spiritually healthy. They are words of blessing not cursing. They are words of encouragement not words of discouragement. The wise person speaks words that build up believers, that encourage their children to follow the Lord, and that point people to God. They are words of health containing great benefit for those who will listen.

Lying Lips will be Punished one day.

Proverbs 12:19  The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 

Proverbs 12:22  Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. 

Lying lips are something that God hates. We know this because lying is one of the seven things listed that God hates (Proverbs 6:16-19).A lying tongue is temporary but a mouth that speaks God's truth speaks that which will last forever. A lying tongue is something that Jehovah detests. The word "abomination" refers to that which is unclean, defiled, impure and disgusting.  However, those that speak truth are those who being delight and joy to God. 

Believers must speak the excellent things of God.

Proverbs 12:26  The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. 

Those who are born again by the power of God have the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed or credited to their account. When the Father looks on us, He sees a believer covered by the righteousness of His Son and therefore, he is clean, pure and righteous before God.  

We know that salvation is of grace and that we can add nothing to the work of Christ on the cross to pay for our sins. We know that there are tremendous spiritual blessings given to us when we respond by repentant faith in Jesus Christ. All that we have and will fully enjoy when we go home to our Lord are things that make us "excellent" in His sight. It is the excellence of God given to us, not any excellence that we might achieve. Our Father in heaven receives all glory and honor for our salvation. 

His name is excellent.

Psalm 148:13  Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

Jehovah's name is excellent and His glory overflows all heaven and earth. 

His works are excellent.

Psalm150:2  Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

Jehovah is praiseworthy and all of His works are testimonies of His excellent greatness. 

His things are excellent.

Proverbs 8:6  Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

Thus, we are to speak of God's excellent things because they are worthy to be spoken of. In a world that says there are no moral absolutes, we need to speak of the "right things" of God because He is the only source of absolute truth and His truth shall prevail.

His lovingkindness is excellent.

Psalm 36:7  How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. 

The beautiful lovingkindness of God is so wonderful to believers on so many levels. It includes His great sacrificial love for us. It includes His longsuffering with us when we try to go our own way and His grace in bringing the way of salvation to us through Jesus Christ. Lovingkindness includes His mercy in withholding the wrath that we deserve because He poured it out upon His Son, when Christ hung on the cross for our sins. 

Seducing spirits and devilish doctrines mark out times.

1 Timothy 4:1  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 

It is always true that the wicked seek to seduce people away from the right things of God. They may be false teachers who preach that salvation is Christ plus works, or that Jesus is not God. It may be a corrupt culture that seduces by promising anonymous ways to satisfy the lust of our flesh. It may be a smooth talking Pastor who tells you that God wants you to have money, health and be prosperous. Satan is the master seducer as we see in Genesis 3.  

We are living in the "latter times" which are those times immediately preceding the return of Jesus Christ. The wicked are seducing people because that is what God tells us they will do. We will see people depart from true gospel faith into apostasy. We see devilish doctrines that attack the authority of scripture and tear down the deity of Jesus Christ. We see devilish doctrines that tell people you can be saved and do whatever you want to do because God does not care how you live.

Thoughts to Ponder...

Words can build up and encourage those who hear or they can destroy and inflict great pain. What type of words are we speaking?

Lying lips are utterly detestable to God. He will punish all liars and none will ever enter heaven to be in His presence (Revelation 21:8; 22:15). Let us make sure that we always seek to honor God with our speech.

Our great privilege is to speak about all the excellent things of God; His name, His lovingkindness, His works and His excellent things. We must share all these glorious truths with other people so that they can be born again and learn to worship the living God of heaven!

Be careful, believers. We live in the latter times. God's prophetic clock is winding down and the return of Christ to rule and reign draws ever closer. Seducing spirits and devilish doctrines are everywhere and we must avoid them. We must speak the truth to help other people avoid falling into the trap of a seducing spirit. 

I am praying that God will speak to our hearts and encourage us, exhort us and help us to speak right things. May we join together in joyous praise for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Bob