Proverbs 14:3
|
In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
|
There are two extremes of speech - arrogant or gracious. All speech falls somewhere between these two extremes. Where does your speech fall? Does your speech tend toward being gracious and kind? Or does it tend toward being arrogant and hurtful? There are consequences to pay for your speech. Harsh and arrogant speech brings punishment and trouble; discreet and gracious speech brings blessing and safety.
How you use your tongue, one of the most difficult things to rule, will dictate how you are treated in life. Both death and life are in the power of the tongue, and if you indulge yourself in talking, you will realize one or the other result (18:21). Solomon warned often about the consequences of your speech (10:20,31; 15:2; 21:23; 26:28; Eccl 10:12-14).
What is this rod of pride in the mouths of fools? It is a metaphor describing how the proud speech of a fool hurts others and himself. His tongue becomes a weapon for pain (Job 5:21; Jas 3:9-12). A fool cannot control his proud speech, and it causes others and him much grief wherever he goes (12:18; 13:10; 14:16; 18:6-7,21; 21:24; 28:25; 29:20).
But a wise man is preserved and honored by the same bodily member! He uses speech for the good of others, and they love him for it (15:4,23; 24:26; 25:11-12). His gracious and kind speech wins the blessing and favor of others (11:16; 22:11; 31:26). He preserves his soul from much grief by wisely dealing with others (6:1-5; 12:13; 15:1; 18:7).
Do you know where your speech falls between arrogance and grace? Since your heart is deceitful above all things, you are a poor judge (Jer 17:9; Ps 19:12). Since men are prone to excuse their own faults, you must accept the judgment of others. Do others think you biting, harsh, proud, or sarcastic? Or do others think you gentle, kind, edifying, or meek? You must crush even the smell of pride in your heart to have acceptable speech (16:5).
The word of God is plain here. Corrupt speech is to be replaced with gracious and edifying speech (Eph 4:29). Bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, and malice are to be replaced with kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness (Eph 4:31-32). Your speech is to always be gracious, allowing room for only a little salty seasoning (Col 4:6).
The Lord Jesus Christ spoke with the purest grace ever (Ps 45:2; Luke 4:22). Even officers sent by the Jews to apprehend Him could not believe His excellent speech (John 7:45-46). The wisdom from heaven is distinctly different from the wisdom of hell, and both kinds are evidenced in the heart attitude and speech of men (Jas 3:14-18).
www.letgodbetrue.com
