Do No Harm!

Proverbs18 is again full of admonitions about the lips and the tongues.  I have already reflected on the power of our words and our attitudes this week but if the writer of Proverbs found it bears repeating over and over, I think it wise not to gloss over it today.  Angry words hurt.  Tone of voice hurts.  We must be mindful of this when interacting with others.

            John Wesley saw three simple rules that we as Christians should follow.

1.      Do No Harm

2.      Do All the Good You Can

3.      Stay in Love with God

The Writer of Proverbs understands that words can certainly do harm. 

1.      V. 1-2:  “Unfriendly people look out for themselves, they bicker with sensible people.  Fools find no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing their opinions.” 

My father used to tell me I would “argue with a signpost.”  He was right.  I am a debater.  I enjoy a good argument.  I would have made a heck of a lawyer.  However, outside of the arena of debate teams and court rooms, bickering does nothing for the good and more often than not, it causes harm.  The wisdom of the proverb here is that we should “first seek to understand, then to be understood.” 

2.      Verses 6-8 read “The lips of fools make accusations, their mouths elicit beatings.  The mouth of fools is their ruin; their lips are a trap for their lives.  The words of gossips are like choice snacks, they go down to the inmost parts. 

3.      Verses 13reads: “Those who answer before they listen are foolish and disgraceful. “

4.      Verse 15 reads an understanding mind gains knowledge, the ear of the wise seek knowledge. 

Both of these verses point to the importance of listening.  Listening is much more important and healing then anything we can see. 

5.      Finally Verse 21 points out that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, those who love it will eat its fruit. 

Are we using our words for good or harm?  Are we starting arguments, gossiping, talking more than we are listening, or seeking to be understood rather than seeking to understand? If our answer is yes than are words are likely doing harm more than they are doing good.  Take time today to listen to those around you, really listen.