Day 178: The power of words - Proverbs 10 vs 11 - 21

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. 13 On the lips of him who has understanding wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense. 14 The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

15-17 A rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin. 16 The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin. 17 Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.

18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool. 19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. 20-21 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense. Proverbs 10:11-21 English Standard Version

There's a poem that goes: “Words can hurt, or words can heal; words can change the way folks feel – so choose them well in all you say and do. For you can build a bridge or break a dam, shape a child or destroy a man – the words that you speak can change their world.” The book of Proverbs has a lot of good advice about the words we speak. What does vs 11 tell us about two ways words can be used?

They can be like water to a thirsty soul, or a mask for someone with ill intentions. What about vs 12 – what does that show about the power of words?

They can cause antagonism to grow and spread – or they can bring soothing forgiveness into a situation where someone has been wronged. Imagine how many broken marriages could've been saved if the couple had covered the faults of their spouse rather than retaliated with accusations. Vs 18 warns of the damage of smooth talk that hides hatred, and of the foolishness of spreading gossip, especially gossip that affects the reputation of others. What is the wise advice we should all take to heart from vs 19?

There is great wisdom putting in brakes on our tongues! The New Testament writer James put it this way: “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger doesn't produce the righteousness God desires.” James 1:19-20. If we control our tongues and speak with the love that Jesus Christ calls us to show to others, then the good things of vs 20-21 would be true in our relationships.

Verses 15-17 appear to be a different subject, and that is often the case from Chapters 10 onward in Proverbs. After all, the book is a collection of wise sayings. But don't rush on. If you ponder a bit on each section you'll often discover there is a link between the different subjects. Can you see a link between the outcomes of the two groups he refers to in vs 15-17 - and words?

I'd suggest that just as a person's wealth brings security, and people in poverty are defenseless – so too the righteous choices of a person will lead to spiritual wealth, whereas the deeds of the wicked lead to spiritual poverty. Jesus ended his parable of a man who was more interested in worldly wealth than spiritual health by saying: “God said to the man, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Luke 12:20-21. But notice from vs 17 the place that words play in putting righteousness first in our life.

It's all about taking wise words to heart – even those words which point out wrong things in our life. And the wisest words of all are surely those that came from the lips of Jesus. Those who listen to him and ponder his words in their hearts, and act upon them, will find them to be a true fountain of life. Eternal life!