SPEECH, TONGUES AND LIPS

READING: PROVERBS 12:17-22

Verse 17: “He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.”

There are times when the Bible seems to pound at us in an almost relentless manner in order to drive home a point. One of the places in God’s word where this occurs is Proverbs 12. Here is what I mean. In that chapter we come to verse 17 as quoted above. This is a clear warning for people to exercise care in what they say. Then the next verse says “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health”. There is another caution to us to guard our speech. The next verse goes further to state “The truthful lip will be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” That soesn't leave much “wiggle room”, but it gets tighter. Just a couple of verses later in the same chapter we are told the following “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.” The message is strong and abundant! We are to use our speech, tongues and lips to promote godliness. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. For what in the verses of this reading for are you grateful?

2. How has the Lord moved in your life to teach you about the lessons in these verses?