“A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.”  Proverbs 15:1
 
Harsh words and anger seems to be the dominating tenor of verbal exchanges in the world today.  The term ‘in your face’ seems to describe so much of what we see in the news.  And it is not limited any one group.
However, this should not be characteristic of Believers!
 
The Bible has much to say of our words.  Let’s see some of what Scripture has to say to us.  Hopefully we each will do our own further study.
 
Proverbs 15:2 goes on to say,
“The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
But the mouths of fools pours forth foolishness.”
 
As for the words of the wise--
They are pleasant:
“ Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.”  Proverbs 16:24
 
They are appropriate:
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
In settings of silver.”  Proverbs 25:11
 
They are gracious:
“The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious,
But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up”  Ecclesiastes 10:12
 
They are inspiring and unforgettable:
“The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.”  Ecclesiastes 12:11
 
They are comforting:
“The Lord God has given Me
The tongue of the learned,
That I should know how to speak
A word in season to him who is weary.
He awakens Me morning by morning
He awakens My ear
To hear as the learned.”  Isaiah 50:4
(Isaiah 50 is entitled ‘The Messiah’s Obedience’ in my NKJV study Bible. It is the Messiah speaking here.)
 
Words of the unwise; the foolish--
Hasty words:
“Do you see a man hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.”  Proverbs 29:20
 
Irreverent words:
“‘Your words have been harsh against Me,’
  Says the LORD,
‘Yet you say, “What have we spoken against You?” Malachi 3:13
 
Enticing words;
“Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.” Colossians 2:4
 
Insincere words:
Peter speaking of false teachers in 2 Peter 2:2-3,
“And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.
By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does no slumber.”
 
Malicious words:
“Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, talking nonsense against us with malicious words.  And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.”  3 John 10 (John is speaking of Diotrephes.)
 
Let’s turn now to the mouth of the righteous to see what Scripture tells us.
“The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom,
And his tongue talks of justice.
The law of his God is in his heart;
None of his steps shall slide.”  Psalm 37:30-31
 
“The mouth of the righteous is a well of life,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.”  Proverbs 10:11
 
Speaking of the wise woman in Proverbs 31:26,
“She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the way of kindness.”
 
“The law of truth was in his mouth,
And injustice was not found on his lips.
He walked with Me in peace and equity, 
And turned many away from iniquity.”  Malachi 2:6,
 
Speaking of the 144,000 in Revelation 14:5,
“And in their mouth was found no guile, for they are without fault before the throne of God.”
 
I close with Proverbs 21:23,
“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.”
 
So let us guard our mouths and tongue!  Thanks be to God, we can do so in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit.  Thank you Most Holy Lord.  Amen