The Way of Wisdom for Your Words | David Welch
- Bear Creek Church
- Jun 23
- 4 min read
THE IDEA:
Words are more powerful than you ever realized;
words can be more healing that you ever imagined;
words reveal who you are more than you ever believed
Proverbs 10:18-20 (NASB)
"And he who spreads slander is a fool. When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable,
But he who restrains his lips is wise. The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver, The heart of the wicked is worth little."
Proverbs 12:13-14, 18-19 (NASB)
"An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will escape from trouble. A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, And the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him."
"There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment."
Proverbs 15:1, 4 (NASB)
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger."
"A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit."
Proverbs 16:23-24, 28 (NASB)
"The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."
"A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends."
Proverbs 18:21 (NASB)
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit."
Proverbs 24:26 (NASB)
"He kisses the lips Who gives a right answer."
Proverbs 25:11, 15 (NASB)
"Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances."
"By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone."
I. Your Words are More Powerful Than You Think
Proverbs 12:18
"There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing."
Proverbs 18:21
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue,"
II. Your Words Build and Reveal Your Character
Build these words into your character
Truthful, honest words
Proverbs 15:4 "a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."
Proverbs 25:18 "Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor."
Proverbs 12:22 "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal faithfully are His delight."
Proverbs 24:26 "An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips."
Kind and gentle words
Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger."
Proverbs 15:4 "A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit."
Proverbs 16:21 "... And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness."
Proverbs 25:15 "By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone."
Fitting and apt words
Proverbs 25:11 "Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances."
Proverbs 15:23 "A person has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word!"
Encouraging, life-giving words
Proverbs 10:11 "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life."
Proverbs 12:25 "Anxiety in a person's heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad."
Proverbs 15:4 "A soothing tongue is a tree of life,"
Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."
Not many words
Proverbs 10:19 "When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise."
Proverbs 17:28 "Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent."
III. Your Words are Changed as Your Heart Changes
Proverbs 16:23 (NIV) "A wise man's heart guides his mouth,"
Luke 6:45 "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart."
How Your Heart is Changed
Ephesians 3:14–20
"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,"
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