He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
The Anatomy Of The Wise: The Tongue (Part 1):
Proverbs 15:1-4
1) A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2) The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of
fools poureth out foolishness.
3) The eyes of the LORD [are]
in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4) A wholesome tongue [is] a
tree of life: but perverseness therein [is]
a breach in the spirit.
In
this chapter of Proverbs, Solomon will be sharing with us spiritual truths that
are illustrated through the use of our physical body parts…
EXPOSITION:
In
the text for this morning, we find Solomon uses of the tongue to illustrate some
of the principles that are exhibited in Godly communications…
1) A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
1. a kind, tender, non-threatening answer will
cause mean, angry attitudes to retreat.
2. words that cause hurt, sorrow and harm will
work up flaring nostrils and strong, hateful attitudes.
When
our communications are done with a helpful, kind, loving, humble spirit
correction and advice is more easily taken by others. When our ”words of help” are delivered with a
condescending, unloving, prideful attitude how can we expect them to be received
and accepted by others?
“Brethren, if a man be
overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit
of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's
burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he
deceiveth himself.” (Galatians 6:1-3)
“Let this mind be in you,
which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of
God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no
reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the
likeness of men: And being found in fashion
as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of
the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8)
2) The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of
fools poureth out foolishness.
1. The speech of those who are wise will use
knowledge of God’s Word in a proper, beautiful, beneficial way. It will be pleasing to God and man alike.
2. The mouth of those who are foolish will gush
out harmful, ungodly, useless speech.
Do
we want our communications to be valuable to others and pleasing to God? We must share Godly knowledge that is properly
understood and applied to the situation we are addressing.
“The Lord GOD hath given me
the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to [him
that is] weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as
the learned.” (Isaiah 50:4)
3) The eyes of the LORD [are]
in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
When
we are at a loss for human wisdom and knowledge, keep in mind that our Lord always
has the perfect advice that others need.
He can see every situation, He shows us in His Word how to recognize
evil, warn others of it and lead them to correct the error of their ways. Likewise, He knows when a person is laboring
faithfully, and will supply to us the words that will encourage and strengthen
them.
When
we realize that the Lord knows any situation perfectly, we can trust in Him to
supply the appropriate message in His Word for those that are in need of
help. May we lay aside the reasonings of
our sinful flesh and share with others the words of our all-knowing God.
“O the depth of the riches
both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments,
and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the
mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?” (Romans 11:33-34)
“Thou shewest lovingkindness
unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of
their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, [is]
his name, Great in counsel, and
mighty in work: for thine eyes [are] open upon all the ways of the sons of men:
to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his
doings:” (Jeremiah 32:18-19)
4) A wholesome tongue [is] a
tree of life: but perverseness therein [is]
a breach in the spirit.
1. A message that heals and strengthens others in
their time of need. From this healing speech springs forth life… it preserves
and enhances physical life on earth, while promoting spiritual and eternal life
with God.
2. A message that contains perversions of the
truth of God causes a divided, weakened, harmed spirit within a man. These false teachings will only hurt an
individual bringing upon them both temporal and eternal harm.
We
have a simple choice as we speak to others…. supply to them life and strength
by sharing the knowledge of God with them or cause them harm by handing to them
the false teachings of man.
“If any man teach
otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing
nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy,
strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth,
supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” (1 Timothy 6:3-5)
“Look to yourselves, that
we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full
reward. Whosoever transgresseth,
and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the
doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the
Son. If there come any unto you,
and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into [your] house, neither bid him
God speed: For he that biddeth him
God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (2 John 1:8-11)
SUMMARY:
In
the first part of this study on our speech, we have seen 4 basic principles of wise
communications…
1.
When our communications are done with a helpful, kind, loving, humble spirit
correction and advice is more easily taken by others.
2. Do we want our communications to be valuable
to others and pleasing to God? We must
share Godly knowledge that is properly understood and applied to the situation
we are addressing.
3. When we realize that the Lord knows any
situation perfectly, we can trust in Him to supply the appropriate message in
His Word for those that are in need of help.
4. We have a simple choice as we speak to others….
supply to them life and strength by sharing the knowledge of God with them or cause
them harm by handing to them the false teachings of man.
By
God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value
that they deserve.
May the
Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.
SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org
SIH
Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/
SIH
Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/
SIH
Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment