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wisdom in speech



"A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit." (Proverbs 15:4 ESV)


After posting the other day in my newsletter, Afterwords ("Words fruitful or fatal"), I was asked by a reader, "Then, is there no room to speak up for truth? Are you saying that we shouldn’t express our thoughts? It seems we would be committing a sin of omission if we don’t speak clearly against evil." 

Indeed, we are to speak truthfully about good and evil! The problem is, according to the Bible, many of us don't know how to do that in a godly way, at the right time, and without pride or self-righteousness or vindictiveness. It's difficult to speak truth in a way (and time) that invites repentance and healing. For example, we go amiss...

...when we are uninformed, or misinformed, or make a hasty accusation: "The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools." (Proverbs 15:7)

...when we are too selective in the truth we share, that is, we are more of a mouthpiece for a partisan viewpoint than for the kingdom of God: "It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice." (Proverbs 18:5)
 
...when we think we are "speaking truth to power" but we're actually speaking "power to power", that is, in a contentious spirit. Truth should be spoken in humility: "The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor." (Proverbs 15:33)

...when we neglect the best time or occasion to speak: "To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!" (Proverbs 15:23)

...when we vent our feelings ("hot take") rather than take time to think carefully: "A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention... The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things." (Proverbs 15:18, 28)

...when we speak harshly, or in a belittling manner: "There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." (Proverbs 12:18) And "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)
 
God's wisdom directs us in what to say, when to say it, and how to say it. Content, timing, and manner all make a difference. "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." (Ephesians 4:29) And here's a good description from James on the nature of God's wisdom:

"Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." (James 3:13-18 ESV)
 
 

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