Proverbs 25:15 says, By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
The power of a soft tongue. We really don't think that way, do we? We often think that powerful words are loud and rapid, or maybe large and impressive; that the way to win an argument is to increase the volume or to "sling mud" at our opponent. But the Bible says that a soft tongue breaks bones.
You might not have been this way, but if one of my parents sat me down and gave me one of those long, calm, "I'm disappointed in you" talks it hurt way worse than a belt or a paddle or a ranting.
We ought to remember this when witnessing. Let's allow the Lord to govern. Let's not allow some idiot to control our emotions and get us in his face screaming right back at him…because that's not going to do a bit of good.
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. –Proverbs 15:1
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Proverbs 26:28 says, A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Let's take a bit of a closer look at the sin of lying [especially the gossip type of lying…spreading falsehood concerning another]. Two truths are obvious from this verse:
1. It hurts others
2. It reveals a hatred for the one(s) it hurts
Going back in the context of Proverbs 26, verses 24-26 read: He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.
"Dissembleth." That is, to dis-assemble; to tear down; to destroy. The NT says we ought to seek to edify, to build up our brothers and sisters in Christ (Romans 15:2). Tearing down believers is the devil's work. Let's be busy about OUR father's business!
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. -1 John 3:15
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The first two verses of Proverbs 27 contain simple, practical, wisdom that we all need to be reminded of. Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. Enough said.
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Proverbs 14:23 says, In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
A couple of obvious points.
1. Hard work is a good thing!
2. Talking gets you nowhere.
Penury is defined as want of property; indigence; extreme poverty. The instruction from the book of Proverbs is to put action to your words. Don't we all know somebody who "dreams big" but never gets anywhere in life or somebody who has a million interests or ideas but never pursues any of them? They'd be well advised to shut up and just get to work on something. Less talk and more work is a good formula for success.
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As in other aspects of the Christian life, Jesus Christ sets the example for how we should use our tongue.
In 1 Peter 1:21-23, the Bible says, For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.
Never man spake like this man (John 7:46), and never man kept silence like this man. And He lives within all believers. May we yield our tongues to His control!
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. –Romans 6:13
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