"The wise of heart is called discerning and
sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness."
The Lord has been putting this on my heart lately.
I know that there is no one perfect out there when it come to their tongue.
We can use it for building up or for tearing down.
Words have the power of life and death.
We know that the tongue can be a fire and a world of evil if we are not careful as we are warned about in James 3:6.
This is why we need to study how to communicate with people according to God's Word. His wisdom transcends all and does not lead us astray!
We have all sinned with our tongues at one point or another but that is even more reason why we need to study the Scriptures so we can learn and practice what He says about it.
Here are some verses from my study this morning, I hope they are a light to you as much as they are to me!
Let's begin:
James 1:19
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger...
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Proverbs 12:18
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
Proverbs 16:23
The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Jeremiah 1:9
Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Colossians 3:8
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
Ephesians 4:15
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Matthew 15:18-19
But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
1 Corinthians 2:14
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
Proverbs 18:20-21
From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Ephesians 4:25
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
Matthew 12:34
You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
James 1:26
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
Proverbs 18:17
The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
Proverbs 20:3
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.
Matthew 12:36
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,
Proverbs 29:20
Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Luke 6:45
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Titus 3:2
To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
Proverbs 13:20
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 12:22
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
3 John 1:13-14
I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Proverbs 17:27
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Proverbs 13:3
Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Psalm 1:1-6
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ...
James 1:19-20
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 6:11-13
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.
Proverbs 11:12
Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Ephesians 5:4
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
Proverbs 6:2-5
If you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor. Give your eyes no sleep and your eyelids no slumber; save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Proverbs 27:5-6
Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
Proverbs 20:19
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Acts 17:10-11
The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
Proverbs 11:9
With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
John 15:26
“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.
Matthew 7:24
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Ecclesiastes 7:21-22
Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.
Proverbs 18:8
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
James 4:11-12
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
Whew--did you make it this far?
That surely was refreshing to read! I think about all the things I hear and read online lately and I know that these verses are God's truth and definitely something we all need to be studying in depth more.
LET'S TAKE ACTION:
1. Think about how you have been communicating lately. Has it been edifying, building up, or self-centered & argumentative?
2. Repent - Have you been communicating in a sinful way? If so, repent and obey God and start practicing how you should be acting. Ask for forgiveness if necessary. Are we putting others and God's Word first when we share with others? Do we consider that they are a soul that Jesus died for? Do we want them reconciled to God or do we just want to "win" the argument?
3. Pray - ask the Lord to help and guide you as you speak. Study the scriptures above and meditate on them. Feel free to print these out for further study for yourself or with your family!
Dear Lord, please help us to be women who build up and not tear down. Forgive us when we fall short and help us to keep our tongues in check to bring you glory. Let our words not be driven out of pride, anger, deceit, conceit, foolishness, jealousy, etc. but let it be a sweet aroma to you and others while bringing others closer to Christ. We thank you for your grace and mercy in this area and thank you for all you have done and are going to do. We praise the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
And finally, dear friend, do you know the Lord and if you are going to heaven? Please read this to be sure.
If you need help learning God's Word be sure to find a good Bible.
We'd also love for you to join our Titus 2 group!
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