The Toughest Place to Have Wisdom

If you're human you know it. The tongue gets you in more trouble than any other part of you. Perhaps because it is so small and so easy to maneuver we often let it loose to tear down our lives with wreckless speech. Proverbs 15 deals primarily with that nasty part of the body. 

Proverbs 15:1–2 (ESV) A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

The truth of this verse cannot be overstated. When things are heated, the best thing to do is cool them down with a word of grace. Learn to temper your words and your life will be filled with peace.

Likewise, verse 4 says, 
Proverbs 15:4 (ESV) A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

The temptation of every person is to lash out and demean or enflame our opponents with words. Why? Because our hearts are full of poison without the intervention of the Holy Spirit. But when the Holy Spirit is in charge and brings the fruit of gentleness to our tongue, we can speak words that bring our lives to greater fruitfulness and blessing. 

Then later chapter 15 reminds us of the best things our tongues can do.
Proverbs 15:7–8 (ESV) The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

Spreading the knowledge of God to those who haven't heard and speaking to God are the best ways to use your mouth. It is with the tongue we can bring the goodness of God to bear in the lives of those we know. 

Much later the proverbs revisit the timeliness needed in our words:
Proverbs 15:23 (ESV) To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!

Your life will for better or worse be driven by your tongue. You can use it to cause strife or bring peace. You can use it to curse or to bless. You can use it to share the good news or complain about every trouble. And it is perhaps why this small part of the body needs so much of the Holy Spirit to impart the grace of God upon us. 

Paul commends us:
Colossians 4:6 (ESV) Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

The Psalmist cries out to God:
Psalm 141:3 (ESV) Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

David made it plain:
Psalm 34:12–13 (ESV) What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

And James reminds us:
James 3:2 (ESV) For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

We focus on our bodies, our looks, and our possessions in life. But with a word that life can be devoured. Seek wisdom in the words you use and watch the blessing of the Lord infuse your life. 

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