Healthy words

The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:23‭-‬24 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.16.23-24.NKJV

Although much is found in our society about health, healthy words are from Scripture.

This verse clearly connects the wise in heart to words which are carefully chosen, full of the knowledge of God, and bring sweetness to the soul.

For God’s Word is where we find truth and guidance for life.

Ephesians 4:29 NKJV — Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Jesus explained why we are to be so careful about the words we speak.

Matthew 12:34 NKJV — “Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

“…no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth…” Because that means the corruption is within.

James speaks of the difficulty of taming the tongue, but points to the fact that those who do are full of self-discipline.

James 3:2 NKJV — For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

Self-discipline is a gift from the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 1:7 NLT — For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

“The heart of the wise teaches his mouth…” Because God is teaching his heart.

And the wise in heart understands the power of the tongue.

The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning.
Proverbs 16:21 NKJV

Learning, knowledge of God, and wisdom can all be found in Scripture and the Holy Spirit is here to teach our hearts through God’s Word.

James 3:17-18 NKJV — But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

May your day be filled with healthy words.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your Word. Thank You for giving instruction that I might not sin against You or others. Lord, I want to be one whose words are sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. I want my heart to overflow into words of wisdom and encouragement, based upon Your Word in all things. Lord Jesus, often I am unsure of what I should say, words seem to escape me and other times words of corruption want to bubble out of my sinful heart. Lord, only in You can I be made clean. Only in You can my words be washed and purified. Please work in me today and let no corrupt word proceed out of my mouth. Thank You. Amen.

Wisdom

“Does not wisdom cry out,
And understanding lift up her voice?

She takes her stand on the top of the high hill,
Beside the way, where the paths meet.

She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city,
At the entrance of the doors:” Proverbs 8:1-3 NKJV

The scripture is full of verses about wisdom and how it comes directly from God alone.

Proverbs 8 puts a personality to wisdom, and we are allowed to gain insight from these words. It begins with wisdom calling from the path, the gateway, and the door.

Each place is a choice.

On the hill where paths meet, the person must choose to take one or the other.

The same is true with the gate and the door, either enter or turn away.

With each of these moments of choice we see Wisdom calling out to those making these decisions.

“All the words of my mouth are with righteousness;
Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.

They are all plain to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.

Receive my instruction, and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold;” Proverbs 8:8-10 NKJV

Wisdom is waiting for those who are making daily decisions to stop and listen before choosing, to look for the truth of what would be best, what would be right and we see what is gained by listening to Wisdom: righteousness, understanding, knowledge, and instruction.

And is it any wonder that if we turn to listen to God’s wisdom we gain those things for it is with wisdom He created.

“When He assigned to the sea its limit,
So that the waters would not transgress His command,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth,

Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman;
And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,

Rejoicing in His inhabited world,
And my delight was with the sons of men.” Proverbs 8:29-31 NKJV

Wisdom rejoiced at His inhabited world and delighted in the sons of men.

Wow.

Wisdom has always been an option if we will simply ask God.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 NKJV

Wisdom is given when sought.

It is up to the individual.

Will you seek God’s wisdom?

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word and for the promise to provide all we need, including wisdom. Lord, help us not to be stiff-necked, but to instead seek You and Your wisdom for our lives each day. You alone have the understanding of how this world is put together and how to handle the different issues we face. Lord, thank You for knowing ahead of time what we would need and providing it for us in Your Word. Lord, let us be those who seek after wisdom as those who seek treasure, never giving up. Thank You, Lord. Amen.