“The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.”
This is a nice continuation of yesterdays verse from chapter 15. It also sounds a lot like Jesus’ little brother James’ letter in the New Testament. It seems like God believes what we say is pretty potent, for good or evil, to cause joy or pain. It is the wisdom in a persons heart that teaches their mouth what to say and when. More importantly it teaches us when to remain quiet. After years going through the chapters of Proverbs daily I’d like to think I have improved in this area myself. More often than I use to I find myself playing out possible outcomes, in my mind, based on what I find I’m about to say. I end up speaking about 80% less than I did a couple decades ago. I can’t begin to tell you how much more peaceful my life, spirit and relationships have become. It is not that I choose my words more carefully although that is a part of it. It is mostly that I choose no words at all. Very often our responses are just to prove we are right or we know better than someone else does. It doesn’t change or improve anything or anyone. It just makes the other person feel stupid, judged or angry. I cannot think of one valuable, life giving result from any of those. Today measure your words and stay silent when possible unless you must speak and if you do be very brief and kind with what and how you say it. #BeTheEdge
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”Ephesians 4:29 NIV
