31:26 - wisely used words

She opens her mouth with skillful and godly Wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness - giving counsel and instruction.

Words. There is power in the tongue to heal a marriage or bring one to an end. It has been compared to a bit in a horses mouth and a rudder on a ship in scripture, for its power to control things much larger than itself. (James 3) Words release chemicals, electical responses and memory tree ignitions - whether positive or negative. (Dr. Leaf)

And the kinds of words that come out of our mouths can draw two very different pictures of a person (hence hiding my last two posts!). Jesus said that what is in the heart preceeds from out mouth, it's good to be very conscious of our thought life and what is actually proceeding from our hearts!

Here are some scriptures to ponder:
'Negative'
-For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother that oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall , sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she know it not. (Prov.5:3-6)
-...a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping. (Prov.19:13)
-Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. (Prov.21:9)
-Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife. (Prov.21:19)
-A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day. (Prov.27:15)
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'Comparison'
-A wife of nobel character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones. (Prov.12:4)
-The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. (Prov. 10:31)
-The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. (Prov.15:2)
-The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. (Prov.15:4)
~~~
'Positive'
-He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. (Prov.18:22)
-He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. (Prov. 21:23)
-Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for SHE is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. SHE is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in HER right hand; in HER left hand are riches and honor. HER ways are pleasant ways, and all HER paths are peace. SHE is a tree of life to those who embrace HER; those who lay hold of HER will be blessed. (Prov.2:13-18)
-Do not forsake wisdom, and SHE will protect you; love HER, and SHE will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem HER and SHE will exalt you; embrace HER and SHE will honor you. SHE will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor. (Prov.4:6)
-Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding your kinsman; they will keep you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words. (Prov.7:4-5)
~~~
-For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matt.12:37)
-This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit... (1Cor.2:13)
-Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve other, faithfully administering God's grace ... if anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God... [be careful little tongue what you say!] (paraphrased from 1Peter 4:10-12)


I can't help but requote Max Lucado -
'...if I clench my fist may it be only in prayer,
if I yell may it only be in praise...'.
We need to guard our thoughts, our hearts and our tongues -
bridling the tongue with kindness and love,
and then also with wisdom, discernment and understanding.

I began this entry a while ago - and am now in the midst of a mess that is centered on words - and I am afraid my words on paper has ignited a raging fire admidst relationships. I am sincerely sorry for the hurt and stress I have caused/added to. Once something is said it can't be erased.

Father God I pray that You would forgive me for the hurt I've caused to those You love. I pray that You would transform our hearts to truly 'esteem one another better than ourselves', to beable to 'be kind and forgive one another even as You have forgiven us.' Teach me how to pray for this division that the enemy is running with. May Your daughters truly seek You for skillful and godly wisdom and may we have the law of kindness on our tongues as You give counsel and instruction through us. Amen.