What We Say.

I was reading Proverbs 15 and noticed how many times he spoke about what we say.
I know I have written about this subject before, but for me it is a very important one.

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

When I was first married, if my husband yelled at me, I yelled right back at him. But then the fight would escalate into a shouting match. Nothing was resolved and feelings were hurt. We have both learned by God's grace to curb our anger and give gentle answers. We rarely fight now, and when we do it is over in seconds.

"A soothing tongue is the tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit."

This verse tells the power of our words. Imagine that what we say can be like the tree of life in the garden of Eden. Amazing!

Then there is the opposite of life and what we say can crush someones spirit. What a terrible responsibility!

"The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things."

I am trying to learn to think before I speak and write my blogs. I don't want to say anything to discourage or hurt someone. Especially when someone asks for advice, I need to take time to think and pray before answering. This is a goal to work towards.

The wicked say evil things. It is hard to listen to or read some of the things people say. Still, we must love people who do evil, for they are loved by God and are just doing what comes naturally to them. I have spoken evil things myself and I'm sorry about that. Even when we are Christians, in a moment of rage we can say something evil. But thank God he is a forgiving God.

"How delightful is a timely word."

This is so true. Many times people have helped me by their kind and timely words. The Bible itself is full of delightful comfort and help.