Wise words

'A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.' Proverbs 17:27

I've been thinking recently about the words I use and how often I speak. I seem to speak often, even when I've got nothing to say. I not too sure why this is, other than the fact that I want to be funny. It can often lead to the 'cutting remarks' where I can make someone feel pretty terrible, sometimes me! Verbal suicide I think.

'Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.' Proverbs 12:18

'An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.' Proverbs 12:25

'Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.' Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)

I'd much rather be the person who's words bring healing, but too often I leave conversations wishing I'd never started them. Jesus was sometimes very cutting with his words and quite funny at other times, but I don't have Jesus' wisdom, so I really should be more careful.

'Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.' Proverbs 10:19

I can usually tell whether I'm trying to up my popularity or being wise with my speech. My problem is, I can't always stop myself. My mouth can sometimes be like a runaway train (as in out of control, not steam powered and full of people. That would just be weird). The same can be true for MSN or Skype. You'd think having to type would give you chance to control what you say, but it's probably just as bad. I think that's why I like the blogging thing. It gives me the opportunity to collect and edit my thoughts.

Although...

I think sometimes saying things by accident can be a good thing. We often hold things in because we are precious about our reputation. But it's not always a bad thing to let people know what is in your heart.

'A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.' Luke 6:43-45

If we keep things inside out of wisdom and restraint then that's a good thing, but we can't keep things inside out of fear. I guess the real fear is that when people see what we're really all about, they won't like it, and therefore us. The truth is that God loves us for who we are, and the people who really care about us do too. In fact God already knows our heart.

'...The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.' 1 Samuel 7b

Hopefully the Lord will continue to work on my heart, so the overflow will be more honouring to him and others.

Here's a topically related song for you to enjoy whilst reading this...

Speak Up!

I went to Kristiine Keskus a couple of weeks ago and as I walked in I was asked to sign a petition to stop the government increasing the minimum pension age. The girl finished her speech by saying 'We want to protect our old people'. That phrase had quite an impact on me, and I was reminded of this verse.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Proverbs 31:8-9

Who are WE speaking up for?