#DailyDevotion What Are You Doing With Your Tongue?
June 17
Prov 17:1–28
Pro 17:4-5 An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue. (5) Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
You know you’re just as much to blame for gossip if you listen to it. God calls you an evildoer here. Not only that, he says you are liar as well when you listen to a mischievous tongue. For the Lord can look into your heart and see your intentions better than you can at times. If someone starts speaking evil of others, you need to shut them down quick and remind them what the Lord of Hosts says of such things. You might even exclaim, “Mouth of the serpent!” You probably won’t hear gossip from such people ever again. Another fine note in these verses is who we treat the poor and those that encounter misfortune. To mock such people and to be glad at others calamities is to insult the Maker of those who made them. You are insulting God! Instead we are to see how we can help such people.
Pro 17:9-10 Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. (10) A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
He speaks again to how we use our tongues. Will we use it to cover the sins of others and put the best construction on people’s actions or will we repeat matters to others. People will love you when they find out you defended them in front of others and you will be honored if you can keep a secret. Yet if you hear evil about you, if someone rebukes you how will you handle it? Will you examine yourself to see if it is true and if so, will you let it sink into your depths so that you make a change? Or will you ignore it like the fool who gains no understanding about himself even if he is beaten?
Pro 17:14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
Starting a fight is like letting a cat out of bag. Good luck restraining it! It may start with a small thing but people’s feelings are hurt quickly, fear escalates and it’s hard to restrain. The good advice here you probably heard from your mother—if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.
Pro 17:27-28 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. (28) Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
Sometimes, most of the time, we talk too much. Perhaps we type too much as well. Demonstrate your knowledge and wisdom by learning to have restraint. Why even if you are a fool, if you don’t say anything people might think you are intelligent.
Heavenly Father, you give us the gift of language. Help us to use this gift to be a blessing to others and not as wicked people. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.