Proverbs 12:18

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about the power of our tongue and words:

Proverbs 12:18 (ESV)

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

The above proverb makes a great point for us to know and embrace.  Solomon is telling us that those who speak wisdom don't have to do it like a sword.   Having a wise heart and wise mind doesn't mean we have to have a sharp tongue.   Solomon said it this way in another book he wrote:

Ecclesiastes 9:17 (ESV)

The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

Speaking louder does not mean the words are wiser!   There are too many believers who don't understand this proverb.   Many people who think they carry the truth it must be wheeled like a sword.   Yet, Solomon tells us that those who speak like there tongue is a sword do so "rashly."  This word is only used three times in the Bible.   The root of the word is to babble.   Solomon is telling us that when we posses a fear of The Lord we will speak and bring healing.   Wisdom does not put a sword in our mouth - it puts healing on the lips for those who speak with God and speak for God.   Wisdom comes from knowing God and fearing God.   When we know God and fearing God, than like God, we bring healing to others.    If we know the truth, we don't have to be caustic.  Jesus was not caustic.  He was truthful and brought healing to those who would believe.   When we have wisdom from God we have healing on our mind and in our hearts and it comes out through our lips.

We have the power in our tongue to do good or do bad.  Our speech, according to Paul, should be seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6).   In the above proverb we see Solomon telling us the truth about the results of the tongue.  The mouth of one person can provide healing to others when it speaks.   The other mouth can hurt so badly it feels like a sword thrusting into the side.   One member of the body: Two different results.   The tongue is the well of life.  Out of it flow the issues of the heart.   When we use our tongue to thrust and pierce others it is showing a problem in our heart.   If we want to make sure we have "healing" in our tongue we have to first "heal" our hearts with God's grace.  Christ heals our hearts so our tongues can bring healing to others.   Allow God's grace to do a good work in your heart and He will be able to use your tongue to do a good work in someone else's life.   If you refuse to allow God to do the work in your life you will eventually cause pain to others. Faith in God's grace in the heart results in the work of grace with your tongue.