“Weighing” our words…
March 15th, 2011
Proverbs 15:28, “The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.” (NIV)
I can remember sitting with a group of mentors/peers and one from the group said to the other, “Dan, you are always so quiet, what are you thinking?” Dan responded, “Oh you know there is a Proverb that says something about those who keep their mouths shut being perceived as being wise, so I just choose to not say much so you all think I am wise.”
Dan was joking, and was referring to Proverb 17:28, “Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.”
The fact of the matter is, my friend Dan is very wise and when he has something to say people listen because the words that leave his lips are always well thought out. Dan “weighs” his words as Solomon talks about in Proverb 16 above.
Our tongue is a powerful tool and often a double-edged sword. James says it all in 3:9-10, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers this should not be.” (NIV)
P.E.A.C.E.