As I went through today's reading I circled every time that the word tongue, lips, or mouth were used. They are used 47 times in just today's reading. These 3 terms are used to describe the words that flow from both the wise as well as the fool. Both the wise and the fool use their tongues to form words, their lips to move them forward and their mouths to release them into the air for all to hear. Words can either serve to build up, encourage, strengthen, instruct, protect, and heal or they can crush, deceive, ruin, destroy, trap, and divide. What kind of words do you find passing over your lips most often?
What determines the words we speak?
"A good man (the wise) brings good things (wise things) out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man (the fool) brings evil things (foolish things) out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." Luke 6:45
"For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34
Sobering verses these are. When my words attack, tear down, crush – then it is a direct reflection of sinful turmoil that is swirling in my heart like a Hurricane ready to make landfall and pour down destruction. Until I learn daily to see that my heart may not be where it needs to be my words are not going to flow from the spring of wisdom. They are going to slowly kill the relationships I have, the trust that I have built, the "good" that God has done through me. The following is a verse I had my children memorize and that I use to instruct them on what seems like a daily basis:
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
My words are meant to benefit the listener not satisfy my pride. They are to build up others not my ego. My words are supposed to bless others and I should find joy and satisfaction in knowing that.
So how do we ensure that we speak words of wisdom into the lives of those whom we meet each day?
Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. Proverbs 23:12 (from our reading on the 18th)
My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life. Proverbs 6:20-23 (from our reading on the 20th)
We must pour into our hearts wisdom. We can obtain that wisdom from other seasoned Christians who have learned life lessons along the way (like Godly parents or just other Christians who have been there and done that). We also need to pour into our hearts the wisdom that comes from God – His word. Either way we must start with hearts that are humble and recognize their need for instruction.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
James 3:17
James 3:17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. Timothy 3:16
In order to have tongues, lips, mouths – words of wisdom - we must be pouring into our hearts the word of God every day. That can be done by listen to others teach and through reading God's word. By pouring the wisdom of God into our hearts and lives we are able to pour it back out into the lives of others through our words as well as our actions. If we are not filling our heart and mind with Godly wisdom then sadly we will find that we are pouring out foolishness much like what we read in today's reading.
But you are on a good path by accepting the challenge of reading through the bible in a year. That shows a yearning, a desire to be wise. You have made great progress in filling your heart with the wisdom of the Lord. When you feel tired or like you don't have time to read just remember that your heart will not fill itself with wisdom, only with folly. Who really wants to be known as a fool?
Don't forget that once our hearts are filled with the wisdom from above we still need to follow some steps to ensure that only the "good things" from within make it past our lips. Below are just a few to remember but I encourage you to add to this list as we continue to read through the bible and make it a part of what you pray for each day, protection of you words:
Be slow to speak (James 1:19), Guard your lips (Prov 13:3), Use restraint (Prov 17:27), Weigh your answers (Prov 15:28), Know what is fitting (Prov 10:32)
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