Proverbs 15:1-3 "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. (2) The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. (3) The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good."
It seems the book of Proverbs has a lot to say much about our taming of the
tongue. The book of James, in the New Testament, also says much about our use
of words. We are told in that book that all kinds of animals can be tamed,
"But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly
poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men,
which are made after the similitude of God." (James 3:8-9) Many
fights have been started because of spoken words. Wars between nations have
begun because of words which come from a prideful heart. Jesus said, "For
out of the heart proceed evil thoughts..." (Matthew 15:19) Solomon
wrote, "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and
the good." When the Lord sent Samuel to anoint David, we read these
words, "the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward
appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7) I may seem
to be rambling this morning, but it seems to me that "a soft answer"
must come from a soft heart. "Grievous words" come from a heart that
has been hardened. I may be able to fool other people, but the Lord looks
beyond my words to see what is in my heart. I pray the Lord will bless me so
that my words will always "use knowledge" in the right manner to
promote peace.