Watch Those Words. Proverbs 6:1-5

Hinckley Evangelical Free Church

May19, 2019

Watch those Words

Proverbs 6:1-5

 

Psalm 34:11-13 “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.”

 

Words are powerful for at least three reasons.

1. Words are everywhere. “By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
2. Words penetrate within. Proverbs 12:18: “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
3. Words spread far and wide. “A scoundrel plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.”

Wrong uses of the tongue:

1. Gossip. Proverbs 20:19: “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.”
2. Angry words. Proverbs 29:22: “An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man commits many sins.”
3. Lying. Proverbs 12:19: “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.”
4. Flattery. “Whoever flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet” (29:5).
5. Impulsive speech. Proverbs 29:20: “Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”

Our speech is compared to…

1. Refreshing water. Proverbs 10:11: “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.”
2. Tasty food. Proverbs 16:24: “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
3. Expensive jewelry. Proverbs 25:11-12: “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.”

 

Ten Tongue tamers:

 

1. Think more. Proverbs 15:28, “The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.”
2. Talk less.   Proverbs 10:19 “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.”
3. Listen better. Proverbs 15:31: “He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.”

19:20: “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”

18:13: “He who answers before listening—that is his folly and shame.”

4. Encourage others. 15:4: “The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life.”
5. Speak gently. Proverbs 15:1: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Proverbs 25:15: “Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.”

6. Cut others slack. 12:16: “A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.”

Proverbs 19:11: “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”

17:9: “He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”

7. Avoid gossip. Proverbs 11:13: “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.”

16:28: “A gossip separates close friends.”

8. Tell the truth. Proverbs 12:17: “A truthful witness gives honest testimony but a false witness tells lies.”

Proverbs 16:13: “Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth.”

9. Stop boasting. Proverbs 25:27: “It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.”
10. Don’t quarrel. Proverbs 17:14: “Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.”

20:3: “It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.”