We need words, whether they are spoken or written. Many words don’t cause harm or controversy. However, it seems that as we use more words and increase our communication, more people are offended or hurt by words. It happens many different ways. A wrong word at the wrong time; a wrong word spoken hastily; a right word at the wrong time; a right word spoken harshly. Proverbs 25:11-12 says, “The right word at the right time is like a custom made piece of jewelry, and a wise friend’s timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger.” (MSG) Some people might not be interested in jewelry. You can think about it in terms of anything you think is valuable. So wise words or words spoken appropriately are valuable.
Proverbs 29:20 says, “Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” (NSRV). Proverbs talks a lot about fools -not favorably. It even says that wise words in the mouth of a fool are useless, (Proverbs 26:7). This makes a lot of sense when I think about my own experience. When I don’t choose my words carefully or speak hastily, I feel foolish. Proverbs 28:26 says, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered.” (NSRV) So, the opposite of a fool is one who is wise. There are many promises in Proverbs for those who are wise, including the words above about being delivered. Thanks to God’s grace, I can survive the times I don’t watch my words and appear foolish. However, I can thrive if I put aside foolish ways and choose my words wisely.
Nae's Notes 