Thoughts on the topic of speech from the book of wisdom

This will be my second post on the topic of speech from the book of proverbs. Proverbs has much to say on the topic and due to the shear number of verses available on this topic, will provide ate a number of posts related to it

Speech

How does speech relate to prosperity, life and peace? Much in every way, and Solomon, ever the graphic storyteller, has some word pictures that are meant to stick in the mind, somewhat like an ear-worm – that constant tune you can’t get out of your head. Solomon wants to provide us mind worms, pictures in our mind that need to rise to our thoughts as we walk through our lives.

12:18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Solomon, and others in the proverbs, often speak of the effect of our words on others. This passage is a great description of the man or woman who speaks without thinking, exposing their heart and inflicting the hurt on those around them.

To speak rashly is to speak thoughtlessly, without consideration of those hearing. It is the sign of a self absorbed person, sometimes justifying their hurtful words by pleading their “honesty” about a situation, or claiming they are simply speaking the truth, all the while ignoring the importance of providing the truth in love, to seek the intended effect of helping those who may need to hear a hard saying.

For myself, I have fallen into this type of person, saying something that comes to mind, blurting it out, often amongst many, to the detriment of the one I should be seeking to care for. Yes – many may laugh, and I walk away, seeming the victor in the exchange, but at what cost.

I slip a knife in a soul, a soul that may already by hurting, pull it out and walk away, letting those I leave behind fend for themselves. Note that it is not only those who I knife that are impacted, but those who may be sitting on the sidelines of the discussion, they also know that I carry a knife, a sword that I am not afraid to use.

Let me tell you of someone that doesn’t carry a knife. She is a real sweetheart, willing to listen to others. She often speaks of how people will come to her and start sharing their lives with her. She is a lady who works retail, with strangers (customers) coming to the store. I can’t tell you how often I have heard her speak of a customer sharing with her of a child’s passing, of a broken marriage, of a health crisis, of family troubles or conflicts. In the middle of work, she has been known to hug a customer due to the pain they are living through, or of a customer coming to look for this lady, to express their thankfulness.

Yes, this is my wife I speak of, and she has always been like this, a good listener, one who keeps her lips closed while others are speaking. Oh I imagine she may have a knife, but I can’t remember a time when she has pulled it out to stab someone. She is one who listens. She lets others speak, and eventually, due to her willingness to listen, and not to thrust a sword of thoughtless, rash words into the conversation, she finds people open up, share deeper pain, and greater sorrows. They feel they can trust her.

Meanwhile, the fella who can cut and walk, who can thrust a sword with great skill, who can speak thoughtless and rash words, he rarely has anyone approach him for counsel. He is one who has a reputation of pain, and few and far between are those who willingly come to a knife fight when they are looking for help, for a listening ear, for a kind soul.

The tongue of the wise brings healing. Thoughtless rash words cut, maim, inflict pain, and create walls.

Which are you? Do people come to you for advise, for counsel, as a friend? Do you find that few if any enter into sensitive issues with you, asking for help?

My friend, put the sword away. Listen to those who may come to you. Do not inflict pain on any with thoughtless rash words. You will only drive those away, who may need your help!

18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Those who understand this cause and effect, that will put the sword down and open the ear, providing wise responses for those needing to hear, they will experience the fruit of acts of love to others. They shall experience good responses from those who have learned to trust them, of those who esteem them and return to them with thankful hearts.

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