Putting the I into WISDOM
The Christians who have most influenced me for good have had a fully functional familiarity with the book of Proverbs. They were (and are) able to take their considerable knowledge and apply it to their lives, providing both godly examples and godly advice. Join with me as each of us endeavors to put the I into WISDOM. Let us seek to exemplify God’s wisdom in our daily lives. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
To remedy overhasty speech and thus talk wisely, we need to think calmly and to develop listening skills. Then, we are more likely to speak temperately. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” The Hebrew word translated “words” is actually singular; sadly, it takes only one word to “stir up anger.” Since a temperate answer tempers one’s temper, each one of us must be judicious in what we say. Proverbs 25:15 reassures us, “By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.” How can a “soft [gentle] tongue” break a “bone”? The language employed here is metaphoric: the hard heart of an opponent can be softened by the steady influence of calm, honest words. Of course, time is needed – often considerable time. Think of the time Jesus has spent on each of us, patiently bringing us to the truth. Let us be like Him.