"Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things." - Proverbs 23:16
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How does one please God? --- Through obedience.. , showing mercy and forgiveness...., through thanksgiving and rejoicing and glorifying Him in worship... yes of course... but how pleased is He when our lips speak what is true, and good, and lovely... !!
Last week, we saw that controlling and bridling one's speech (keeping quiet) was the first step to being thought, and actually becoming, wise... and if you are just joining us, we recommend you read back to the begininng of this sub-series on speech, part of our overall topical journey through the wisdom of the book of Proverbs.
What should one open ones mouth for ? Good question... .what does the book say?
SET D : OPEN YOUR MOUTH FOR...
(Pro 31:8) Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
(Pro 31:9) Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Here we have in a capsule, the intercessory work of our Saviour. We were dumb, and not permitted to speak... appointed to the righteous wrath of God Almighty... we have no leg to stand on in that court... but as Christ pleads our case... so are we to plead the cause of those that may not yet know Him ... bring our petitions for them to the throne of Grace, where we WILL find mercy, and help in time of need --- Hallelujah!!!
The second proverb is interesting in that we see RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT, coupled with the cause of the poor and needy. Christ is our Saviour, yes, but He is also our Judge.... all judgment has been committed to Him, and every human soul will have to give an account for their actions in this body. Yet, even as judge, He is on our side --- coaching us, giving us the words to plead in court, and yes, even paying our penalty/fine ---- because we are too poor to afford it , and desperately NEED His help!
If we have these two pictures in front of us, we should have no difficulty practically applying these words to our lives.... forgiving those that sin against us knowingly and unknowingly, and taking up the cause of those that cannot speak for themselves!
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(Pro 12:18) There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
(Pro 28:23) He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
Here's a second set. We give you , in another capsule, the work of the Spirit!
As the scripture says, "And when he { The Holy Spirit } is come, he will ---reprove--- the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." - John 16:8-11
The good news of the gospel is only good news, when we are told the bad news point blank.
We have a spiritual illness (called sin), that will lead us, and be with us, to the grave and hell. We are powerless to fight this enemy unless we recognize our need for the saving grace of God. .... this is not a popular message. All people are basically good aren't they???
--- No friends... Christ says "You, ----being evil----... know how to give good gifts to your children:.." (Matt 7:11, Luke 11:13...) He is pretty clear!!
This is the reproof and rebuke of the Spirit... truth --- gently, but firmly delivered. Not with angry words or logic that slices the hearer into little pieces, smashing and demolishing their fragile self esteem... but as an old Aesops fable put it--- like the gentle warmth of the sun, that --persuades-- a traveller to remove his cloak, where the attempts of the wind to remove the same garment through howl and bluster, just encourages the person to wrap their cloak about them tighter for warmth!
BTW, in John 16:8-11, you will note the juxtaposition of two phrases... "I go to my Father", and "the prince of this world is judged".
We have always maintained through the insight given to us, that the devil was judged and removed from heaven when Christ -- ASCENDED -- ... key to understanding the book of Revelation, and ---unique to this Page (!). You can get a link to that study series (and helpful summaries of prophecy) from the pinned post at the top of this page.
In a more practical sense, you can view these two proverbs as guiding us to the value of truth --- wise men appreciate it, and we should speak it in love with a view to healing, and not killing, with it!
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(Pro 25:15) By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. (Pro 31:26) She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of --kindness.
This reinforces what we have just said. Patience, and soft answers will accomplish more than browbeating and bombast ever can!
The Woman who fears the Lord (Prov 31:10+) is described in the Word, we have picked out one small vignette --- her mouth has wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness ... what a beautiful picture!!!
And there is bad speech... we will just give you the verses, they are self explanatory...
SET E : BAD SPEECH
(Pro 10:18) He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
(Pro 11:9) An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
(Pro 12:6) The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
Pro 12:22) Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight
(Pro 14:3) In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
(Pro 16:27) An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
(Pro 16:30) He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
(Pro 17:4) A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
(Pro 17:20) He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
(Pro 18:6) A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
(Pro 18:7) A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
(Pro 19:1) Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
(Pro 19:28) An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
(Pro 26:23) Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
(Pro 26:24) He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
(Pro 26:28) A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Spiritual foolishness causes pain and suffering to the one who practices it, and to those affected by it, just as kind words can heal and bind up. The Word is very clear, that we are to order our speech aright... because....
SET E: THE CONSEQUENCES OF FOOLISH SPEECH
(Pro 12:13) The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
Here is a promise to plead back to God, when you are being persecuted for telling the truth!
(Pro 12:19) The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Here is His promise back to you!!! ? ....
(Pro 13:2) A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
.... and His promise to them!!
(Pro 14:23) In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
All talk and no walk is not going to benefit anybody!
(Pro 22:11) He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
We end as we began... how should we please God? Walk in pureness of heart, with Grace on your lips, and the KING will call you His Friend!!!
"Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for ---all things that I have heard of my Father--- I have made known unto you.---" : John 15:15
Friendship with God comes through the knowledge of His spoken and written Word, and His revelation of His truth, that endures from time immemorial!!! What a privilege... what joy!!!
Hallelujah!!