Kindness on Her Tongue

She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Proverbs 31:26

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    I really like things boiled down.  With this desire in mind, when it comes to the tongue, seems like we have three options:    speak death; speak life; or say nothing.  Check out these proverbial contrasts: 

• The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver, The heart of the wicked is worth little. (Prov. 10:20) 
  The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom, But the perverted tongue will be cut out.(Prov. 10:31)
  There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment. (Prov. 12:18-19)
  The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly. (Prov. 15:2)
  A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit. (Prov. 15:4)
  

    As to saying nothing, did you know that "He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.  Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent (Prov. 17:27-28).  I have asked the Lord to "Set a guard over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips" (Psa. 141:3).  Oh, that He would help me to "not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let [my] words be few" (Ecc. 5:2).  How sobering to remember that "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart" (Luke 6:45).

    If we desire change, we must begin with Scripture.  Bible verses alone, however, may not be enough to change behavior.  It really takes a submissive and humble spirit before the Lord--a heart, mind, and soul that craves change on the inside.  Transformation can take a while.  It's conforting to be reminded that it is God's Spirit who does the work inside us.  We are the vessels--He does the filling.  We don't strive to bear fruit--the bearing of fruit comes naturally to the one secured to the vine.  "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit" (Prov. 18:21).  

    So what will it be for you today?




  

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your  sight, O LORD,
my rock and my Redeemer 
Psalm 19:14