The ability to speak is one of the most important advantages of humans over other creatures, but how many problems we get into for not using that skill wisely. This 3-day plan gives us wisdom to use our mouth for good and not for bad, to be a blessing to others with our words, constructing instead of destroying. Do not miss it!Jeff Wells in partnership with El Centro Network
Day 1
Scriptures: Proverbs 10:19, James 1:19, Proverbs 18:2
Do not speak too much
“When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”
The more we talk, the more we sin. That ought to sober us and cause us to slow down our talking, but many of us talk on.
There was a tombstone in an English churchyard. The faint etching read: Beneath this stone, a lump of clay, Lies Arabella Young, Who, on the twenty-fourth of May, began to hold her tongue.
Far better if we heed Proverbs 10:19 and begin to hold our tongue while we live. The Bible says in James 1:19 that that’s what wise people do. They are not incessant talkers. They talk, of course, but they are quick to hear and slow to speak.
Why do we talk too much? Maybe it’s nervousness or insecurity, but a big reason for excessive talking is pride. We are self-preoccupied, self-centered, and self-enamored. Proverbs 18:2 says, “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”
One of my heroes is Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt was a courageous, fearless president with many incredible traits. But like the rest of us, he was one flawed individual, and talking too much was one of those flaws. One biographer, Edmund Morris, comments:
He delights like a schoolboy in parading his knowledge, and does so loudly, and at such length, that less vigorous talkers lapse into weary silence.
John Hay once calculated that in a two-hour dinner at the White House, Roosevelt’s guests were responsible for only four and a half minutes of conversation; the rest was supplied by the President himself.
OK, maybe you’re not that bad; I hope not. But Theodore Roosevelt is not the standard. God calls us to be careful, to hold back, to go slow when it comes to talking. Be slow to speak and quick to listen. Most of us get that backwards; we are quick to speak, slow to listen.
Words are a great resource. We can do so much good with life-giving words. But words can be abused. One way we abuse words is to talk too much and listen too little. In this time of cell phones, e-mail, and Facebook, perhaps the problem of excessive words is worse than ever.
Wise people hold their tongue. How are you doing at this rare discipline?
Day 2
Scripture: Proverbs 18:12
The humble vs. the haughty
“Before destruction, a man’s heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.”
God exalts the humble. God humbles the haughty. He blesses the humble. He opposes the haughty.
Who are the haughty? What do they look like?
They are self-reliant.
They are self-preoccupied.
They are self-righteous.
They refuse to submit to God.
They don’t have a broken and contrite heart.
They draw attention to themselves.
They are not servants.
They incessantly talk about themselves.
They flout God’s Word.
They are overly critical of others.
They are not thankful people.
They need no one.
Who are the humble? What do they look like?
They are worshippers.
They are Jesus-preoccupied.
They don’t focus on themselves.
They are self-forgetful.
They depend upon the Lord.
They surrender to the Lord.
They obey the Lord.
They don’t look down on others.
They are not self-righteous.
They don’t draw attention to themselves.
They are grateful people.
They don’t care who gets the credit.
They know they need God.
The first group: God will humble them. He is able to do it.
The second group: God will save them, bless them, and honor
them.
Day 3
Scripture: Proverbs 18:21
Death or life
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
Larry Nettles is a close friend. We went to college together at Rice University. He once told me this story:
When I was growing up, I desperately wanted to be an athlete. My dad played basketball at the University of Texas. But I was terrible at sports. I was horrible at football, basketball, and baseball.
When I got to high school, my dad encouraged me to try cross-country running. I did. After a time, the coach, Coach Dunlap, said to me, “I think you are going to be good.”
I was astounded. No one had ever said that to me. So I asked him, “Why do you say that?” “Because you have rhythm when you run. You have mental toughness. You have self-discipline.”
I thought to myself, “I could be good!” I doubled my mental toughness and self-discipline. I worked hard. I rose to the expectations. I got better and better. I set school records. I became one of the best runners in Texas. I got a full athletic scholarship to Rice University.
Then, Larry paused and looked intently into my eyes. “Those words changed my life in more ways than you can imagine.” He went on to tell me that Coach Dunlap’s words gave him confidence in every area of his life. He began to see himself differently. He said it changed the path of his life.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” With our words, we can breathe life into people. And with our words, we can bring death into people.
Wise is the man or woman who speaks words that breathe life, build up, encourage, and affirm. Wise is the person who is forever alert to speak words of life to a child, a spouse, a friend, a student, a neighbor, a coworker, a stranger, a clerk at Wal-Mart, or someone who looks troubled.
Life-giving words. We can change lives forever. Words like these: I love you. I respect you. I believe in you. I am so proud of you. You can do this. You are so good at painting. I love the way you shared your toys with your brother. Could I pray for you right now? You are going to get through this, for God will see you through. I have been praying for you every day. I am so sorry; will you forgive me? Thank you so much for that gift. When words like these are spoken from the heart, they breathe life into people.
You can make such a difference with your words.