Proverbs 15:1-4 says,...

Today's verses are Proverbs 15:1-4, which read,

v.1 - A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

You can't read the Proverbs too long before Solomon will get back to the mouth and the tongue and their power over a situation.  Here is another that is one of those proverbs that is quoted often.  Have you seen it in action?  Have you been on both sides of this proverb?

It really is about control in a charged situation.  How will you respond to something that is not the norm?  You have the opportunity to say something probably more natural to our nature that is harsh and feeds the fire or you can go against that human nature and follow after God to say something to allow the fire to die down some.  We want others to give the gentle answer but we expect to hear the harsh word and we are surprised when get what we want rather that what we usually expect.  

The proverbs is to be the one in the charged situation that gives the gentle answer.  Be the one who lets the fire die down so that a solution can be found sooner rather than the one who puts another log on the fire, stokes it up hotter and makes a solution further in the future.  

v.2 - The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly.

If someone was to change, really change, then they need to hear what is true so they can respond to it.  Those words do not come from the fool but from the wise.  The fool's words only create more folly while the words of the wise open up the opportunity for the listener to respond to the words of God.  This is why the church is charged with the responsibility of spreading the gospel.  We share what we have experienced but not created and the result is the hearer listening to a call from God about His Son Jesus Christ.  An answer to that call of truth from the lips of the wise who are not just speaking it but also living it is the environment that God uses to woo others to Him.  The lips of the fool are used by Satan to do just the opposite.

v.3 - The eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching the evil and the good.

I think this is put in so that you and I are reminded that no communication is out of God's sight.  Just because we don't say it doesn't mean that God doesn't hear it.  In the mind, on the FaceBook post, whispered to another, outside of the church walls, etc. all are the same to God who hears and sees all.  On the flip side, God also sees those who are following after Him and bearing fruit that is honoring and glorifying of Him.  What is done in secret or something that others just don't see because it is not on the stage of life is not out of His sight either.  It doesn't have to be a "big" thing for God to see or hear it.  The proverb is that God sees it all.

v.4 - A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit.

Here is another proverb on the effects of our tongues on others.  A soothing tongue or a tongue that brings healing is connected to the tree of life which is connected to salvation with God and eternity with Him.  What is the greatest thing that you and I could say but sharing the gospel with another who hears and answers the call of God to follow after Him?  In a world of "How's it going?"  "What do you think about those Bears?"  "How's the weather?" or  "How's the family?" many times we never speak about the words that bring ultimate healing to one's life.  

Perversion or twisted speech crushes or breaks the spirit.  Words of the fool that degrade who God is gives the listener no reason to follow after Him and not following after Him has eternal consequences.  I think there are some who do this on purpose but I think there are many of us who don't want them to walk down that road but we don't take the opportunity to speak of the right road to them.

I am guilty of this.  An opportunity is given for a conversation and God is never mentioned.  There has got to be a way to include Him in but know that Satan is working overtime for that not to happen and to put into your head that this is not the right time or the consequences of what they would think if you mentioned God's name.  It is hard because we don't do it enough.  

"What did you do this weekend?"  Do you tell them about the events that you participated in at church or the sermon you heard?  "What about this weather?"  Do you bring in something about the Creator of it all?  "How is the family?"  Do you speak of your church family?  "How are you doing?"  Do you make sure to give credit to God, the one who sustains your very next breath?  It is a challenge but one that God uses because He set up His followers to do this very task.  Let's use our tongues for Him and let's pray.

"Lord, what a challenging devotional today on the tongue.  May we be the gentle answer.  May we make Your truth known.  May we recognize Your omniscience.  May we be used of You as we speak of You and see Your words and Your work heal people's lives.  We are missing out on so much when we don't let our tongues be used of You.  Forgive us Lord.  Amen."

Pastor Adam