The Tonge

Good Morning,

Proverbs 15:1-2 (NIV)
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

You've got to love the Book of Proverbs! So often such simple words and phrases that express deep and complicated concepts.

Truer words than what we read today have never been spoken or written. Our mouths and what comes out of them so often get us into much trouble. Then, conversely, our mouths can assuage troubles just as easily.

Think about it. I'm sure we all remember a time when there was some challenge or problem with another and a "gentle answer" came and turned us away from that problem and the anger that was associated with it. But then, I'm sure we can also all remember a time when things seemed to be going well and some word or other got our blood to boiling. Even, and maybe often, these "words" from the same individual...but at different times and in different situations.

We also read today that it is when we accept and approve wisdom we are using our tongues wisely and, the converse is also true.

My mind put these two verses together. Maybe I'm a bit simple, but what I read today, what speaks to me is that the wise will use gentle words, and thus turn away hostility and it is the fool who will use harsh words to produce animosity and antagonism.

So, I would guess the message to me this morning is that if I'm to think of myself as a "wise" person, then I should use my words...my tongue...in a gentle manner. And, if I want people to think of me as a fool, then all I've got to do is to speak harshly when it just not necessary.

Pretty easy concept today. For that I say, "Thank you Lord! Hallelujah!"

Love, peace, and blessings,

David