A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH (Human Speech) (Part1) A judge speaks some words and a guilty prisoner is taken to a cell on death row. A gossiper makes a phone call and a reputation is blemished or perhaps ruined. A cynical professor makes a snide remark in a lecture and a students faith is destroyed. Never underestimate the power of words. For every word in Hitlers book Mein Kampf, 125 people died in World War II. Solomon was right: Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Is it any wonder James compared the tongue to a destroying fire, a dangerous beast, and a deadly poison (James 3:5-8). Speech is a matter of life or death. When you summarize what Proverbs teaches about human speech, you end up with four important propositions: (1) Speech is an awesome gift from GOD! (2) Speech can be used to do GOOD! (3) Speech can be used to do EVIL (4) Only God can help us use speech to do GOOD! 1. Speech Is an Awesome Gift from God A young baby girl’s first complete sentence was, Where Daddy go? Considering the going and coming of her father, it was an appropriate question for her to ask. But, who taught that young baby how to understand and speak those words? And who explained to her how to put together a sentence that asked a question? The ability [to speak] comes so naturally that we are apt to forget what a miracle it is, writes Professor Steven Pinker. Language is not a cultural artifact that we learn the way we learn to tell time or how our government works. Instead, it is a distinct piece of the biological makeup of our brains. Believers would say that when God created our first parents, He gave them the ability to speak and understand words. Made in the image of a God who communicates, human beings have the wonderful gift of speech. The answer of the tongue is from the Lord (Proverbs 16:1). God spoke to Adam and gave him instructions about life in the Garden, which he later shared with Eve; they both understood what God told them (Genesis 2:15-17; Genesis 3:2-3). Adam was able to name the animals (Genesis 2:18-20) and to give a descriptive name to his bride (Verses 22-24). Satan used words to deceive Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-5), and Eve must have used words to persuade her husband to eat (Verse 6). The Garden of Eden was a place of communication because God gave Adam and Eve the ability to understand and use words. The images used in Proverbs for human speech indicate the value of this divine gift that we not only take for granted but too often waste and abuse. Wise words are compared to gold and silver. The tongue of the just is like choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth (Proverbs 10:20). A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise mans rebuke to a listening ear (Proverbs 25:11-12, NIV). Our words ought to be as balanced, beautiful, and valuable as the most precious jewelry; we ought to work as hard as the craftsman to make them that way. (See Ecclesiastes 12:9-11.) Words are also like refreshing water. The mouth of a righteous man is a well [fountain] of life (Proverbs 10:11). The words of a mans mouth are deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook (Proverbs 18:4, NKJV). When we listen to and appropriate the words of a godly person, its like taking a drink of refreshing water. The law of the wise is a fountain of life (Proverbs13:14), and the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life (Proverbs14:27). But it isnt enough for the wise to speak to us; we must be prepared to listen. Understanding is a well-spring of life to him who has it (Proverbs 16:22, NKJV). The soil of the heart must be prepared and the seed of the Word planted, or else the water wont do us much good. Right words are like nourishing, health-giving food. The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit (Proverbs 15:4, NIV). It is a wonderful thing to say the right words and help to heal a broken spirit! The phrase, tree of life, means source of life and goes back to Genesis 2:9. The lips of the righteous feed many (Proverbs 10:21; see Proverbs18:20). Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones (Proverbs16:24, NKJV; see Psalm 119:103). Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18, NIV; see Proverbs12:14; Proverbs 13:2). The apostle Paul considered biblical doctrine to be healthy doctrine (sound doctrine, KJV) that nourishes the believers spiritual life. He warned Timothy to beware of anything that was contrary to sound [healthy] doctrine (1Timothy 1:10), and he reminded him that the time would come when professing Believers wouldnt endure sound [healthy] doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3). Spiritual leaders are to use sound doctrine to exhort the careless and rebuke the deceivers (Titus 1:9-10; Titus 2:1). The words of Jesus are wholesome [healthy] words, but the words of false teachers are sick (1Timothy 6:3-4, NIV). Their teaching will spread like gangrene (2 Timothy 2:17, NIV), but Gods words are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh (Proverbs 4:22, NKJV). The Believer who recognizes how awesome; is the gift of speech will not abuse that gift but will dedicate it to the glory of God. We all need to heed the words of Solomon: Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter any-thing hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few (Ecclesiastes 5:2, NKJV). 2. Speech Can Be Used to Do Good No matter what may be wrong with us physically, when the doctor examines us, he or she often says, Stick out your tongue! This principle applies to every Believer’s life, for what the tongue does reveals what the heart contains. Inconsistent speech bears witness to a divided heart, for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing, wrote James. My brethren, these things ought not so to be (James 3:10). What we say can help or hurt other people. When we reviewed some of the images of speech found in Proverbs, we learned that our words can bring beauty and value, nourishment, refreshment, and healing to the inner person. But the awesome power of words reveals itself in other positive ways. Our words can bring peace instead of war. A soft [gentle] answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1, NKJV). A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel (Verse 18, NIV). Solomon isnt advising us to compromise the truth and say that whats wrong is really right. Rather, hes counseling us to have a gentle spirit and a conciliatory attitude when we disagree with others. This can defuse the situation and make it easier for us to settle the matter peacefully. Once again, the key issue is the condition of the heart. If theres war in the heart, then our words will be destructive missiles instead of healing medicines. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth (James 3:14, NKJV). Earthly wisdom advises us to fight for our rights and make every disagreement a win/lose situation, but heavenly wisdom seeks for a win/win situation that strengthens the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy (James 3:17, NKJV). Applying this wisdom means taking the attitude thats described in Philippians 2:1-12, the attitude that was practiced by Jesus Christ. Our words can help restore those who have sinned. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient [listening] ear (Proverbs 25:12). It isnt easy to reprove those who are wrong, and we need to do it in a meek and loving spirit (Galatians 6:1); yet it must be done. To flatter those who are disobeying Gods Word will only confirm them in their sin and make us their accomplices. He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward than he who flatters with the tongue (Proverbs 28:23, NKJV). He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses reproof goes astray (Proverbs 10:17, NKJV). In Matthew 18:15-20 Jesus explains the procedure for helping restore a sinning brother or sister. First, we must talk to the offender personally and confidentially, trusting God to change the heart. If that fails, we must try again, this time taking witnesses with us. If even that fails, then what was confidential must become public as we share the matter with the church. If the offender fails to hear the church, then he or she must be excluded from the church as though they were not believers at all. Of course, during this whole procedure, we must be much in prayer, seeking the Lords help for ourselves and for those were trying to help. Our words can instruct the ignorant. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge (Proverbs 15:7). The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction (Proverbs 16:21, NIV). While there are many good and helpful things to learn in this brief life that we have on earth, the most important is the wisdom of God found in the Word of God (Proverbs 8:6-8). Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding (Proverbs 4:7, NKJV). After we acquire wisdom, we must share it with others, for wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning (Proverbs 10:13, NIV). Whether its parents teaching their children (Deuteronomy 6:1-13), older women teaching the younger women (Titus 2:3-5), or spiritual leaders in the church teaching the next generation of believers (2 Timothy 2:2), accurate instruction is important to the ongoing of the work of God. Every local church is but one generation short of extinction; if we dont teach the next generation the truth of God, they may not have a church. In spite of all the books and periodicals that are published and all the Christian programs that are broadcast, were facing today a famine of Gods Word (Amos 8:11). People attend church services and special meetings of all kinds, purchase Bibles and books, and listen to Christian radio and TV. But there seems to be little evidence that all this learning is making a significant difference in families, churches, and society as a whole. Many professed believers are spiritually illiterate when it comes to the basics of living a godly and righteous life. We desperately need men who will obey 2 Timothy 2:2 and women who will obey Titus 2:3-5, or we will end up with an uninstructed church. Our words can rescue the perishing. A true witness delivers souls, but a deceitful witness speaks lies (Proverbs 14:25, NKJV). While this verse can be applied to our own personal witness for Christ in rescuing the lost (Acts 1:8), the context is that of a court of law. An accused criminal in Israel could be condemned on the testimony of two or three witnesses; if the case involved a capital crime, the witnesses had to be the first to cast the stones (Deuteronomy 17:6-7). The law forbade the bearing of false witness (Exodus 20:16; Exodus 23:2; Deuteronomy 5:20), and anyone found guilty of perjury was given the punishment that the accused would have received (Deuteronomy 19:16-18). If my testimony could save an innocent person from death, and I refused to speak, then my silence would be a terrible sin. Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, Surely we did not know this, does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds? (Proverbs 24:11-12, NKJV) Whether its rescuing prisoners from execution or lost sinners from eternal judgment, we cant plead ignorance if we do nothing. Our words can encourage those who are burdened. Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad (Proverbs 12:25, NKJV). A man finds joy in giving an apt reply — and how good is a timely word! (Proverbs 15:23, NIV) When were walking in the Spirit daily and being taught by the Lord, well know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary (Isaiah 50:4). Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones (Proverbs 16:24, NIV). The Royal British Navy has a regulation which reads, No officer shall speak discouragingly to another officer in the discharge of his duties. We need to practice that regulation in our homes and churches! Each of us needs to be a Barnabas, a son of encouragement (Acts 4:36-37). Near the close of his ministry, a famous British preacher of the Victorian Age said, If I had my ministry to do over, I would preach more to broken hearts. Jesus came, to heal the broken-hearted (Luke 4:18), and we can continue that ministry today with words of encouragement and hope.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 03:19:53 +0000
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