If the tongue is the rudder of your ship, which direction are you going?
Which direction is your ship heading? Where are your words leading you? Is your life headed someplace good, or is it a sinking ship?
Today, we are going to continue to draw wisdom out of Proverbs. There are two distinct paths that are present throughout Proverbs that we have been exploring and will continue to explore today. The path of the wise contrasts with the path of the fool.
As we have been reading through the Proverbs I have been challenged and convicted in many ways. This week is no exception. Today, I want challenge you to be open and honest with yourself as we dive into the power of our words.
Our words reveal our heart.
What do your words reveal about your heart? Proverbs 16:23 (NIV) says, "A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction." Proverbs 23:15-16 (NIV) says, "My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right."
When our hearts are in good health, our words, or even our lack of words will reflect that. Words of encouragement, instruction, praise, truth, and loving consideration will be on our lips.
However, if our hearts are not in good health, our words will make it evident.
Proverbs 18:2 (NIV) says, "A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions."
Proverbs 18:13 (NIV) says, "He who answers before listening- that is his folly and his shame."
Proverbs 26:17 (NIV) says, "Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own."
Our brokenness is so clear in our words. How many of you enjoy listening to someone who always has an opinion, and always shares it, and never actually listens to the conversation being had?
Sometimes I find myself desiring to be the one with the right answer. I want to be noticed for what I know. In those moments, my heart's desire is to be noticed and important.
Our words communicate to all the people around us what our hearts believe to be true and important. Do your lips communicate wisdom? Or do your lips speak deceit and lies?
Growing up, I had a classmate whose words revealed his heart. He always had a story that could one-up what someone else had shared. He spoke lies that were clearly false. He would insert himself into others' discussions and arguments. How many of us often share that same heart to be noticed, heard, and important?
Your words have the power to create your reality.
Proverbs 10:21 (NIV) says, "The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment."
Proverbs 12:18 (NIV) says, "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
Proverbs 21:23 (NIV) says, "He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity."
There are all kinds of words that are spoken. Some of them are the words that we speak to ourselves. Some are our words to others.
But then there are the words of other people that are directed to us. These words can become our identity and they are often negative words. Dumb. Fat. Ugly. Worthless. Irresponsible.
Positive words can also become our identity. Smart. Kind. Creative. Talented. Loving. Generous. Beautiful. Our words directly impact how we feel about ourselves or how others feel about themselves.
Think about your own life for a minute. What are some words spoken to or about you that had a lasting impact on your life?
There are many instances in the Bible where words were spoken powerfully.
At creation, God spoke everything into existence. Jesus changed Peter's name to the "Rock".
If our words contain that kind of power, what have we done with that power? As Peter Parker's grandfather tells him in Spiderman, "With great power comes great responsibility." How have you leveraged your words?
What is in the wake of your ship? A path of people who are better for having heard from you, or a path of destruction from the people you have torn down through your careless words?
What words do you speak intentionally to your friends, family, co-workers, and all others around you?
What words do you allow to foolishly and carelessly flow from your mouth to create a wake of hurt, brokenness, and destruction?
Words have the power to shape destinies.
Proverbs 18:21 (NIV) says, "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
Our words don't just shape reality, but they also have the power to shape someone's eternal destiny. Whose eternal life are you investing in and what investment are you making? Are you investing positively in your children, parents, co-workers, neighbors, and friends?
Foolish words can discredit you and they discredit Christ. What words are you speaking that hinder someone else's relationship with Christ?
Our foolish words can also impact our relationship with God. Sometimes the words that go unspoken are as harmful as the words we say out loud. Don't withhold your positive words from those who need to hear them.
Wise words can set others up for spiritual victory in Christ. These may include correcting words, words of blessing, or words that share our need for Christ. You and I should have tongues that are under God's control. If your tongue is the rudder that sets the course for your life, where are you headed? If your mouth has power to impact others' lives, what is in your wake?
It can seem like a losing battle that we fight against our tongue. I know that I am troubled by the condition of my own heart and what my spoken words say about me. It is heartbreaking to know that I have spoken words into other people's lives that have torn them down or worse, caused them to turn away from Christ. It is disheartening to be honest about how many times I have failed to speak loving words of wisdom, both for my life and for the lives of others.
Fortunately, there is hope for us in the battle to control our tongues.
Words can transform.
Proverbs 4:4 (NIV) says, "...he taught me and said, 'Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.' "
Proverbs 2:1-5 (NIV) says, "My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God."
Only God can transform a man from a fool to one who is wise. If we desire to be transformed, that is a huge step toward gaining wisdom. The book of Proverbs is all about hearing and obeying. Over and over it says, "Listen, my son. Keep my commands. Obey wisdom."
God's desire is for all of us to live lives that are overflowing with wisdom, which brings joy and fulfillment. God will make a change in you when you desire wisdom and seek his wisdom.
Get into the word of God so that you can know God's wisdom for your life. Take hold of his words with all of your heart. Keep his commands.
When you allow God's word to transform your heart, and wisdom then dwells there, everything changes.
Your words change. When your words change, then your outlook on life changes. Your relationships change. Your life becomes a ship that stays on course with purpose and direction. God's word has the power to transform our hearts and our tongues.