Last week we looked at “Six Wonderful Ways to Use Words” from LIVING WELL, God’s Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs, by Allan Moseley.  This Greetings “Six Wicked Ways Of Using Words“ is from the same book.
Six Wicked Ways Of Using Words:
1.  Flattery. Flattering words are not actually believed by the one who speaks them.  Flattery has a motive -- to use the words to get what the flatter wants, whatever that may be.
    Proverbs 26:28  “…A flattering mouth works ruin.” 
    Proverbs 28:3   “Whoever rebukes a man will afterwards find more favor
                               than he who flatters with his tongue.”

2.  Boasting.  Boasting is a particular way of lying.  It’s bragging about things we didn’t do, or claiming credit when we don’t deserve credit.
     Proverbs 25:14  “Like clouds and wind without rain
                                 is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.”
However, there is a wonderful way to use words, it is to boast in the Lord.
     1 Corinthians 1:31 says, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord”. 
     Psalm 34:2  “My soul makes it’s boast in the LORD”

3. Lying.  Proverbs 6:16-19 describes seven things the Lord hates.  He hates the sin.  At least two of them have to do with lying.  (Read Vs. 16-19)
       Proverbs 6:17  “…a lying tongue…”
       Proverbs 6:19  “A false witness who breathes out lies…”

4. Talking too much.
       Proverbs 17:27 “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge…”
       Proverbs 10:19 “When words are many, transgression is not lacking
                                   but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”
       Proverbs 17:28 “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;
                                  when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”

5.  Speaking in anger.
       Proverbs 15:1  “A soft answer turn away wrath,
  but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Speaking in anger causes us to speak rashly, before we hear all the facts.
       Proverbs 18:13 “If one give an answer before he hears,
                                  it is his folly and shame.”

6.  Gossip.
       Proverbs 26:20 “For lack of wood the fire goes out,
                                  and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.”
The author lists four qualities of gossip:
*Gossip is desirable:
        Proverbs 18:8  “The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels
                                   they go down into the inner parts of the body.”
*Gossip is divisive:
         Proverbs 16:28 “A dishonest man spreads strife,
                                    and a whisperer separates close friends.” 
*Gossip is disloyal:
         Proverbs 20:19 “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets;
                                    therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.”

*Gossip is destructive:
         Proverbs 11:9   “With his mouth a godless man would destroy his  
                                      neighbor…”

  The author closes this section with Ephesians 4:29,
“Let no corrupting words come out of your mouths.”

Thank you most holy Lord God for Your words of life and correction.  Help us to be good stewards of all you have given each of us.  I am so grateful for these two messages that tell us how needful it is to watch over our words with diligence. How grateful we are to belong to You!  Amen