Clear Communication
Communication is vital when you consider just how much it influences our life experiences. Of course, God has a few things to say about it.
Consider the influence of destructive communication. James says “the tongue is a fire…it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison” (3:6, 8).
It can exacerbate sin: “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise” (Prov. 10:19).
It can cause destruction: “With his mouth, the godless man destroys his neighbor.”
It can lead to poverty: “In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty” (Prov. 14:23).
It can stir up anger: “A harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov. 15:1).
It can ruin friendships: “He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends” (Prov. 17:9).
It can create strife: “A fool’s lips bring strife and his mouth calls for blows. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are the snare of his soul” (Prov. 18:6).
It can reap ugly outcomes: “The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin” (Prov. 13:3).
It can anger God: “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord” (Prov. 12:22).
Consider the influence of constructive communication. Solomon said, “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life” (Prov. 10:11).
It can save lives: “A truthful witness saves lives” (Prov. 14:25). How? By sharing the gospel (Prov. 11:30) and giving a voice to the voiceless (Prov. 31:8-9).
It can preserve your life: “The one who guards his mouth preserves his life” (Prov. 13:3); and the lives of others: “The lips of the righteous feed many” (Prov. 10:21).
It can restore and build up others: “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Prov. 16:24).
It can diffuse anger: “A gentle answer turns away wrath” (Prov. 15:1).
It can motivate joy: “Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad” (Prov. 12:25).
It can strengthen friendships: “Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Prov. 27:5-6).
It can sweeten learning: “Sweetness of speech increases learning.”
SO?
Recognize its potential: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Prov. 18:21).
Restrain its practice: “He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent” (Prov. 17:27-28).
Resist its poison: “He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles” (Prov. 21:23).
Request its protection: “Set a guard, O Lord over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).
Let's not forget our Lord's penetrating reminder. "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt. 12:34).
Pastor Jeff