Using the Tongue "Wisely" - A Free Bible Lesson

"Word Pictures" for Our Imagination

Thursday, July 3rd Free Printable Devotional Sheets

Today's Daily Verse is found in Proverbs 15.2

"The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness."        - New Living Translation

What is this "tongue" problem we all face?

We live in an age when it is considered unmanly, or a sign of weakness not to resent and respond to a "tongue" insult, and to let nasty words go unchallenged.

However, it takes a stronger character to resist an angry man's words and, in quietness of spirit, respond in cool, calm words that diffuse the malice or hurt.

In order to do so, one's personal feelings must be under control.

The man or woman who retorts back reveals that they do not know how to rule their own spirit...and that it rules them and their responses.

Grievous words come to all of us.

Jesus was silent before his accusers, and Pilate. He said nothing.

We must learn how to use knowledge correctly, and to know when to speak and when to be silent!

The fool rattles off rubbish whether it fits the occasion or not. Fools just want to be heard, and any verbal  "rubbish" will do just fine...

A secret...

When a person does not respond, and is quiet - that person wins. Why? Because the aggressor has no idea what they are thinking, and that creates "power".

Most of us can't resist.

We respond in like kind and mirror back any insult from a disagreeable person. What we are actually doing is, "exposing our thoughts" on the matter. If we had "shut" down and refused to say anything - then the ball is now in the aggressor's court - to wonder what we are thinking.

Don't make it easy for those with unkind words or accusations to have advantage...

"Wise words" examples in the Bible...

Jesus teaching His disciples Mark 4.33-34 "Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. 34 In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them."

Paul, the Apostle Matthew 7.29 " The only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves. Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you." John 7.46 "“We have never heard anyone speak like this!” the guards responded."

What are we learning here?

This right use of knowledge is a teachable moment for us:

• We may in fact, have a great reservoir of knowledge stacked into our brain
• It's not how much information we have, rather the right "application" of that knowledge that really counts!
• The wise man controls his tongue, the fool's tongue controls him.
• Much damage is done when truth is given out "loosely" by fools - so that their words are unsuitable and brings discredit to the truth itself, and fails to convict the disagreeable person.
  

"Foolish words" examples in the Bible...

Baal worshipers 1 Kings 18.26-29 "So they prepared one of the bulls and placed it on the altar. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning until noontime, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no reply of any kind. Then they danced, hobbling around the altar they had made. 27 About noontime Elijah began mocking them. “You’ll have to shout louder,” he scoffed, “for surely he is a god! Perhaps he is daydreaming, or is relieving himself. Or maybe he is away on a trip, or is asleep and needs to be wakened!” 28 So they shouted louder, and following their normal custom, they cut themselves with knives and swords until the blood gushed out. 29 They raved all afternoon until the time of the evening sacrifice, but still there was no sound, no reply, no response.

People murmuring against Moses Numbers 14.2-10 Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. 3 “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” 4 Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!” 5 Then Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground before the whole community of Israel. 6 Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. 7 They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! 8 And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. 9 Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” 10 But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the Tabernacle.

Using our tongue wisely...

Learning how to wisely "dispense" wisdom or knowledge distinguishes the "workman approved of GOD, not needing to be ashamed."

2 Timothy 2.15 explains it well..."Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth."

Oh! for a large infusion of sound knowledge for each of us - into the inner treasure house of our "spiritual heart" - that our tongue may use words wisely, and that our emotions and personal feelings become disciplined and consecrated to His Kingdom. That includes our thought-life, imagination, and whole thought system

See you tomorrow...

In the meantime: May I encourage you to call or email someone and invite them to join us in our daily study in Proverbs... Your call today, may be the lifeline they really need...make that call. You'll be pleased you did!