Poetry – Proverbs 10
“You are always too quick with your words!”
This was a remark a brother made to me recently. And when he said that – I was wondering, “What’s this all about?” But as the brother did not explain further, I took it as one of the off handed lame jokes that we brothers sometimes try to crack.
I was reminded of this incident when reading today’s Proverbs…
Bible Passage: Proverbs 10
The brother later came up to me to explain.
I had passed an off handed remark at another brother and did not realise that it actually hurt the brother a lot.
So he took the opportunity when I uttered another careless word to tell me that I had been wrong to be so loose with my words. And for that, I truly thank him for that.
One of the major concerns of mine is that I fail to spot the plank in my own eyes as I go about how I lead my life. And that is why reading the Proverbs is a good way to reflect upon our daily lives, actions and speech – and then gain wisdom on how we ought to conduct our lives.
The main verse I would like to concentrate on today is in Proverbs 10:19
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
But he who restrains his lips is wise.
I read somewhere that said, “God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. We should listen twice as much as we speak.”
That is what Proverbs 10:19 is trying to teach me. I should learn to hold my tongue more and talk less (although it can be very difficult many a times). But I am learning to do so.
Why should I learn to restrain my lips?
On reflection – this can actually help me to learn more when I do so. In so doing, I will not jump into delivering conclusions in haste but rather, with some time to reflect and think – be able to speak with calm, collective wisdom.
God knows I need reminders… constant reminders.
Our mouths can get us into trouble so quickly cause our words can cut like a sharp sword that inflict wounds that lasts twice as long.
A wise man reflects soberly after speaking very much, for he remembers the grave warning of the first half of this proverb. If he uttered quite a few words, he has probably sinned in his speech and appears a fool (Eccl 5:3). In this context, silence is very golden!
Indeed, Elder James tells us to be fast to hear and slow to speak (James 1:19). If we work at being good at listening – it will mean we would have less time to speak. So we shoud wisely consider our words before we speak, rather regret them after we have said them.
Have you ever spent many painful hours reviewing the words you have spoken?
When that brother told me what I said, I spent quite a fair bit of time thinking “I wish I never said that!” or “Why did I say that?”. This misery could have been avoided if I had simply refrain my lips from idle or foolish speech.
Indeed, the tongue is a fire, so douse its sparks by swallowing words (Jas 3:1-12)! The tongue is deadly, so use it slowly (18:21)!
So after that incident, I am trying to make a conscious effort to watch what I say. And I pray that God will guide me so that I can carry this verse with me all the time and remember them before I utter something that does not edify again.
Have you considered what you said today?
4 Comments
Flake
Yes indeed our tongues can be malicious weapons.
As James 3 mentions, the tongue “is a restless evil, full of deadly poison”(3:8) ; “Out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing..”(3:10)
What we say might cause others who hear it to stumble and fall.
It is of great importance to consider carefully before we speak, lest we bring judgement upon ourselves.
PS
The mouth of the righteous is a well of life (Prov 10:11)
This is the purpose which God has for our mouth. The mouth is to bring gospel of salvation and good tiding of kingdom of God to others.
Yes, we all have our moments of slips of the tongues. At times when we are the recipients of these slippy moments, we have to listen with an open heart.
i witness first hand a brethren being on the receiving end of a blunt remark, he listens with a magnanimous heart. It teaches me much about listening and It is truly putting 2 Cor 6:11 & 13 into action:
O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is open (Chinese bible: magnanimous)
Now in return for the same ( I speak as to (my) children), you also be open (Chinese bible: magnanimous) to repay us.
LovePeaceJoy
To be very honest, I am very guilty of being ‘swift to speak’ and not to listen because we are just mere mortals, we tend to become judgemental and think that the odds are against us or jump to conclusions and thus conclude situations in certain ways when they are not based on facts at all. Personally, I like to think that it is a way that God wants to remind us that we must listen first, ponder then speak. It is like He wants us to practice this ‘practice’ that the Bible has been teaching but sadly, we often fail.
Many a times, we tend to speak and ultimately hurt others, and when we have tasted our own medicine, we finally realised how important it is to really be slow to speak..
I think it is important that we all should think through what is the appropiate and right thing to say, basing it on what God has taught us and what He wants us to say instead of basing it on our own human ways – passing judgemental comments and trying to say things to soothe the situation or the other party.
I really liked this entry/post. It has helped me to open up and reflect!
Thank you.
biblereadingcompanion
One of the disturbing trends today is the increasing use of profanity. In the past, I used to think that this was just a ‘boys’ thing but I started to realize recently that even girls at a young age are using profanity and swearing in public.
In fact, statistics have shown that the younger people admits to using bad language more than the older people. They also encounter bad language more frequently but they are less offended by it. In fact, although many feel that it is wrong for them to do so, these words still find their way into their everyday language.
So watching what we say is not limited to only making sure our tongue does not judge, attack or ridicule someone. There is also a need to watch our language!
I was reading about this Rabbi who gave lectures on the impact of words.
In one of his lectures, he asked the audience if they could go 24 hours without saying anything unkind about another person or to another person.
A very small number signaled yes. Others laughed and a large majority called out “No!”
Then this Rabbi answered and said, “Those of you who can’t say “Yes” must recognise that you have a serious problem. If you can’t go 24 hours without drinking liquor, you are addicted to alcohol. If you cannot go 24 hours without smoking, you are addicted to nicotine. Similarly, if you cannot go 24 hours without saying unkind words about others, then you have lost control over your tongue”.
Makes you think doesn’t it?