Word Power Made Wise - Proverbs 17, 18, 25, and 26 - June 22, 2008

Sunday School Lesson – Word Power Made Wise – June 22, 2008

This is lesson four (4) in our series of study.

Our scripture is Proverbs 17:27-28; 18:20-21; 25:11-12; 26:20-22, 28.

It is hard for most of us to realize the power words have. We often hear children saying “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me.” Words do hurt and often make or break people, particularly children and young people. Words of encouragement build up, the wrong type of criticism can be a problem for many.

During my career I have seen opinions formed by managers about employees that followed them during their career and even when the problem had been corrected. A good manager needs to correct poor performance. If that person cannot perform, after counseling and attempts to correct them, he or she needs to be terminated. This is true of poor performing managers.

Words can be used for encouraging and building up or they can be used as weapons to discourage and tear down. Likely most of us have said things we wish we could take back but once released, they do their work whether good or bad. GOD tells us that HIS Word is like seeds. Once HIS Word is distributed it either falls upon good soil, poor soil, rocky soil or among weeds. Let GOD till the soil of your heart so HIS Word will produce fruit that will glorify HIM and others.

Let’s read Proverbs 17:27-28:
27 The intelligent person restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head[23] Lit spirit is a man of understanding. 28 Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent, discerning, when he seals his lips.[24] Pr 10:19; Jms 1:19; 3:2

Proverbs 15:28:
28 The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.[22] Pr 15:2; 18:13

Often it is hard to restrain our words. I have been in meetings and heard people go on and on about nothing. This wastes the time of all sitting around listening to the person talk. Sometimes it is the boss and you are captured.

It is often best not to speak, especially when you are upset or angry. However there are times a person needs to be firm. The key is to listen, think and respond as needed. I admire my wife, children, sons-in-law and daughter-in-law for the way they handle matters. I wish I could claim credit but they acquired these skills on their own.

Solomon tells us it is often better for a person to keep silent. Silence even works to the benefit of a foolish person. When Solomon uses the word “fool”, he means the opposite of “wise.”

As mentioned earlier, words can be used as weapons. Our human nature is to defend and we use words to defend. The Bible is clear we do have the right to defend. There are times very stern words need to be said. But let’s think for a moment about when we take matters into our own hands and use words as weapons. GOD tells us in
Romans 12:19:
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

I am convinced that when we take matters into our hands we take it from GOD’S hands, so to speak. I think GOD allows us to do it our way to let us see where that leads until we finally throw up our hands and turn matters over to HIM.

Romans 8:28 tells us:
28 We know that all things work together[16] Other mss read that God works together in all things for the good[17] The ultimate good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

GOD is in all things working to bring about the right results for HIS children. Silence is good but be careful not to let your silence build to a point of exploding. Seek wise counsel when you feel the tension building in your life about a matter that needs to be addressed. Address the matter when you are in control of your emotions, if possible. Ask GOD to provide you with the wisdom, constraint, power, courage and words that you need. Ask HIM to reveal a verse of scripture to you that can be used to help keep you focused on HIM and HIS provision for you as you address a matter. Ask HIM to provide a person you trust who can stand with you as you deal with this matter. Do you want your “pound of flesh” or do you want to address the matter to resolve it? Retaliation is using the situation to attack and it will likely result in the escalation of the matter.

Let’s read Proverbs 18:20-21:
20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips.[20] Pr 1:31; 12:14; 14:14 21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.[21] Pr 13:2; Mt 15:11,18–20; Jms 3:8

The mouth takes in food and processes it so it will nourish our body. The body benefits from the right use of the mouth to take in the right food. By the same token the mouth, especially the tongue, can be used to produce good or evil.

Just as food satisfies hunger, speech satisfies both the wise and the foolish. The wise use of the mouth can bring healing or bring light to that which is hidden and can solve matters. The foolish blurt out a volume words but such a release of words only satisfies the foolish.

Both the wise and the foolish are accountable to GOD. GOD delights in the wise but despises the foolish.

The Bible tells us that every word we utter will not escape the ears of GOD and we will be held accountable to HIM.

Matthew 12:36-37:
36 I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak.[13] Lit will speak 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Let’s read Proverbs 25:11-12:
11 A word spoken at the right time is like golden apples on a silver tray.[8] Or like apples of gold in settings of silver [9] Pr 8:10; 15:23; 16:16 12 A wise correction to a receptive ear is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold.

Solomon used things of value to compare them to right words spoken at the right time. These valuable words include words of correction when the hearer receives them with the intent of taking them to heart.

It takes a person with a cool head and a wise person to speak these golden words. These golden words come from a life that is in relationship with GOD. In fact the believer uttering these words may never realize the tremendous positive impact they have had on a situation or life until the day GOD rewards those obedient to HIM.
Sadly a believer may never realize the negative impact harsh words had on a person until eternity.

The hearer also has a responsibility. He or she needs to have a receptive ear or listening ear. A listening ear is a person who listens with the intent of putting into action the wise counsel they are receiving.

Proverbs 15:4:
4 The tongue that heals is a tree of life,[4] Pr 11:30; 13:12 but a devious tongue[5] Lit but crookedness in it breaks the spirit.
How do we want to be remembered, a believer with a healing tongue or a devious tongue? May our speech be as golden apples that glorify our LORD.

Let’s read Proverbs 26:20-22, 28:
20 Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down. 21 As charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.[11] Pr 15:18; 16:28; 22:10 22 A gossip’s words are like choice food that goes down to one’s innermost being.[12] Lit to the chambers of the belly [13] Pr 18:8

28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.

Solomon in essence is saying without fuel a fire goes out. When we hear gossip, we have a choice to fuel it or let it die. Gossip can be true or untrue. If gossip reveals a situation that has the potential of endangering others, check it out. If true, then you need to take action. You can approach the person who is the subject of the gossip. Of course, I know of a situation where a person was accused of molesting boys. He was approached and denied it but when the facts came out, he was guilty.

Here it seems Solomon is addressing false rumors. In those cases we do not need to pass them along but we need to let them die with us.

Solomon addressed a lying tongue. This carries the idea of lying under oath, such as in a court of law. In Solomon’s day if a witness was caught lying, they received the same punishment as the person being charged.

Gossip boils down to an attitude of the heart. Gossip is talking about people behind their backs. The gossiper is not under an oath to “tell the truth and nothing but the truth” thus they feel no restraint to embellish what he or she hears. However, he or she forgets that GOD is their judge and he or she is accountable for every careless word he or she speaks.

Solomon speaks of a lying tongue in the context of undeserved flattery. Often we praise people because of their position in society and we flatter them when they do not deserve it.

Whether or not we spread gossip often boils down to relationship. When we hear of something someone has done wrong, do we delight or does it break our heart? A measure of our relationship to our LORD is when the things that break the heart of GOD also break our hearts. Then we know we have the right relationship with our LORD. Is our first response to pray for that person or to pick up the phone to pass what we have heard onto others?

The Bible has much to say about our tongue. The book of James has much to say about the tongue:
James 1:26: 26 If anyone[8] Other mss add among you thinks he is religious, without controlling his tongue but deceiving his heart, his religion is useless.

James 3:1-12:
Controlling the Tongue
1 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment; 2 for we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says,[1] Lit in word he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body.[2] Lit to bridle the whole body 3 Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal.[3] Lit whole body 4 And consider ships: though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So too, though the tongue is a small part [of the body]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. , it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites. 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our [bodies]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. ; it pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by • hell. 7 For every creature—animal or bird, reptile or fish—is tamed and has been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our[4] Or bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine [produce]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.

Controlling our tongue is vital in serving our LORD. The tongue is a small thing but it has far reaching effects both for good and for evil.

James 1:19-20:
19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
This lesson hits us all. May our speech glorify our LORD whether we praise HIM, speak to others in the market place, at church or at home. LORD sanctify our tongue because it reveals our heart.

Proverbs 21:23 tells us - 23 The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.[26] Pr 12:13; 13:3