InPsalm 15 the psalmist asks and answers this question: “Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?” The answer is “they whose walk is blameless,
and who does what is righteous.” The
Psalmist then goes on to describe the righteous person. It is interesting to me how much speech has
to do with right living. The psalmist
writes the righteous person “speaks truth from his heart and has no slander on
his lounge” The righteous person keeps their oath, even when it hurts.” Proverbs 15 also has things to say about our
speech. “A gentle answer turns away
wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool
gushes folly.” “The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a
deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” “The
lips of the wise spread knowledge, not so the hearts of fools.” “A hot tempered person stirs up dissension,
but a patient person calms a quarrel.” “A
person finds joy in giving an apt reply-and how good is a timely word!” Jesus’ brother James also knew the importance
of speech. In James 1:19 he says “Take
note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to
become angry, for a person’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that
God desires.” He then devotes all of
chapter 3 to the control of the tongue.
The tongue is a powerful thing.
The childhood adage “sticks and stones will break my bones but words
could never hurt me” should read sticks and stones may break my bones but words
will surely hurt me. We are given two
ears and only one mouth for a reason. We
should listen twice as much as we speak.
Pray today that God will grant you the patience to think and to listen
before you speak. Let your speech be
healing speech!
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