A PEOPLE OF GODLY WORDS

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut out.

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.

Proverbs 10:31-32

WE ARE TO SPEAK WORDS OF INSTRUCTION

Our conduct in speech toward one another

Ephesians 4:29-32

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

WE ARE TO SPEAK WORDS OF CORRECTION

We have a duty to correct each other

Romans 15:14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish (counsel with a view to correcting improper behavior.) one another.

Humble correction

2 Timothy 2:24-26

24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

The affect of good words

Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.

Proverbs 15:1 A soft (gentle) answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 25:15 By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, and a gentle tongue breaks a bone.

The effect of good words on the speaker

Proverbs 15:23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly (timely said) spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

The blessing on the hearer

Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,

Proverbs 8:12 "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion.

Proverbs 8:32 "Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways.

Proverbs 13:1 A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

Proverbs 19:20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.

Conclusion: Let us examine what we say and how we say. Are you a person of godly words?

Tom Russell / 1105 Mary Ellen Pampa TX 79065 / 806 669 7378 / church@nts-online.net / 12/99

Proverbs 17:4

4 An evildoer gives heed to false lips; a liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.

(NKJ)