Proverbs 10:32
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The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.
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A righteous man knows what to say, when to say it, and how to say it. He makes sure his words and speech are acceptable to others, and they love him for it. But a wicked man does the opposite - he lets out of his mouth whatever comes to his contrary mind. His words offend others, so they consider him rude and obnoxious; and they avoid him.
Of course, everyone thinks his own speech is good and right (21:2). Human pride and inborn folly presume that others love the way you talk, and pride and folly are in large supply in every child of Adam. Only by the grace of God, the acquisition of wisdom, and strict ruling of the tongue can men learn to speak in a way acceptable to others.
Speech is for the hearers - so it is their perception and opinion that counts, not yours! While you must please God with each word, He measures your speech by how it pleases others. Froward mouths hate this rule, for they want to be themselves without regard for others. They know others avoid and resent them, so they excuse and justify themselves. But here is the true standard of righteousness: what do others think of the way you talk?
A word fitly spoken is a beautiful thing (25:11). The man who uses them well deserves to be kissed on the lips, for acceptable speech is that rare and pleasant (24:26). Good speech is wonderful (15:23,26; 16:13,24; 22:11; Eccl 12:10; Col 4:6). It should be a high goal of every reader to have acceptable speech - acceptable to both God and men (Luke 2:52).
The lips of any man only express what is already in his heart, Jesus said (Luke 6:45). The heart of the righteous loves what is good and acceptable, so their choice of words is pleasing to God and men. But the heart of the wicked is depraved and selfish, so his speech is obnoxious and rude. Only by a change of heart will his speech ever improve. And only the Lord can change his heart by regeneration to deliver him from the devil.
Christian charity, the love of others, does not behave unseemly, or rudely (I Cor 13:5). If you love others, you will modify your speech to please them. You will listen and observe what is acceptable and good, and you will learn to do it yourself. You will not continue on in habits and ways that offend people, for doing so is selfish and proud hatred.
Speech is one of the ways you can glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, for pleasant words will be a beautiful testimony to His grace and glory. Your difference from the world will be great, for they are guilty of filthiness, foolish talking, and jesting, which will soon bring God's judgment on them (Eph 5:3-7). Let every reader speak carefully and wisely.
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