June 17, 2024 – Choose Your Words Wisely

Choose Your Words Wisely
June 17, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 15:1-4
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    I remember as a child watching a movie that had a line in it which said something like, “To say what you mean, and to mean what you say are not the same thing.” For example, to say, “I see what I eat” is not the same as to say, “I eat what I see.” The same words are used, but the meaning is completely different. “To see what you eat” is logical and appropriate for a sighted person. However, to say, “I eat what I see,” well, that could have you in a field eating grass, just because you saw it.

    Words are very important. Not only are words important, but it’s also important how we use them in conversation. Our verses for today say, “The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.” Much too often, we as Christians speak before considering how this will affect someone else. In defence of this rudeness, we say things like, “Well the truth will always be the truth no matter what,” or I’ve heard, “I just don’t candy coat things, I give it to people just like it is.” While both of those statements can be good at times, there are times we need to think a bit before we speak. The Bible tells us to tell the truth. However, Jesus tells us to use the truth with Love. (Eph. 4:15)

    Love will always cause us to pause for a moment and ask ourselves the question, “How will the person I’m addressing or the one I am discussing understand what I am about to say and the way I say it?” We must always remember to be considerate and to love one another. If we do, then we will use the truth wisely to help, rather than hurt each other.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    In James chapter 3, we are warned about an uncontrolled tongue. Let’s begin today by using our tongue wisely. Let’s try to remember to first use it to speak with God before we speak with, or about others.

What steps might you take to
guard the hearts of others in your conversations?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and todays Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

  

GOD TALKING TO ME: June 17, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Job 31 – Job 36
  Proverbs 15:1 – 4

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  1 Chron. 15-16
  John 19:31-42