#DailyDevotion Speech Is A Gift From God. How Will You Use It?
Prov. 25:8-14 8Don’t be in a hurry to go to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor disgraces you? 9Present your argument to your neighbor, but do not reveal another person’s secret; 10otherwise, when he hears about it, he will denounce you, and his evil report about you will never disappear. 11A word spoken at the right time is like golden apples in a silver background. 12Like a gold ring and a necklace of fine gold is a wise criticism to the ear of one who listens. 13Like the coolness of snow on a harvest day is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes his master. 14Like misty clouds and a wind without rain is a man who brags about a gift he doesn’t give.
How do we use our tongues? Speech is a gift from God. It is the LORD who opens our mouths and loosens our tongues. What do we do with this gift? Jesus says in Matt. 12, “36But I tell you, on Judgment Day people will have to give an account of every useless word they say.” Solomon in his wisdom teaches us here some ways we should use our mouths.
For one, don’t be in a hurry to go to court. If you are disgraced in court what will you do or say then? Won’t your neighbor then tell everyone how he got the better of you? Will your other neighbors want to befriend you if they know you are rash? What should do instead if your think he has harmed you? Solomon gives us a little preview of Matt. 18 here and the Sermon on the Mount. If you have a problem with your neighbor or brother, present your argument to him, just between the two of you. If they don’t have to protect their honor in front of everyone else they are more likely to listen and to restore to you what they harmed. They will not have to save face. However, if you afterwards go about and tell everyone afterwards what you had done in secret, will he not then tell everyone you cannot keep a confidence? How will anyone else ever trust you again? So it is best to keep secret those things that are done and said in confidence.
Who can speak a word at the right time? Such words are like golden apples in a silver background. They really stand out. The timing of what we say to others is as important or maybe more important that what we have to say. So first weigh your word rightly and look for the opportune time to speak them. When people or irrational or emotional might not be the right time. Perhaps it is best to let everyone else present their ideas first.
If there is wise criticism to be brought forward make sure it will fall on ears that will listen. Have wise ears yourselves to listen with. Don’t waste your breath or your words on people who turn on you and hate you for what you say. Don’t cast pearls before swine and don’t be swine. You don’t have to accept everyone’s criticism but you should carefully weigh it to see if it is true. Then you can better yourselves if you do.
It is interesting how one who brags about a gift he cannot deliver on is like a wind or clouds that do not bring rain or mist. Peter in his epistle uses this imagery about false teachers. Their words sound fine and reasonable but in the end they do not give life but bring death. So weigh the words of all teachers against God’s Word which is always true and dependable. Jesus’ words are always true, his promises will always come to pass. You can depend on him.
Heavenly Father, give us lips that speak according to your will and ears that will receive your correction from those you send that we may be refreshed and made wise. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.