The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Summary: Words have power, and if we don’t pay attention to how we use them, we can be like a drunkard with a sword, hurting those around us.
I have lots of personal experience with this proverb.
At times, my words have hurt others, although I am not always aware of this. At other times, people’s words have hurt me. This I am aware of! Solomon’s description of the pain is appropriate: hurtful words “pierce like swords.” Bringing healing is another matter. To bring healing to a broken relationship requires wisdom and caring. It also requires patience. Lots and lots of patience.
How do we avoid being reckless with our words?
Well, I think the first thing we have to look at is our nature. Are we righteous, meaning are we striving to please God and love our neighbors as ourselves, or are we wicked, meaning we are self-absorbed?
Of course, the problem is that nobody is one hundred percent righteous or wicked. We vacillate back and forth. Even the most righteous among us have moments of selfishness and cruelty. In the same way, the most wicked person on the planet might do something kind for someone now and then. Judging who is and who is not righteous or wicked is something beyond our human ability, but we can judge a person’s behavior. That is why Solomon (and God) spend so much time explaining the difference between good and bad behavior.
Today’s passage is about how we use words. The NIV translates the Hebrew text as “reckless” speech. Strong’s and other sources reference meanings like “babbling,” or speaking “rashly and inconsiderately.” This gives us a peek into the original language and opens the door to a broader understanding of the passage’s meaning.
Words have power.
It is difficult for us to understand how much power is in our words. Very few of us pay attention to the impact our words have. We see life through our own eyes, not the eyes of the people we touch. If we could see through the eyes of those around us, we would be much wiser people!
Application: Practice imagining how your words sound to other people.
Food for Thought: How do words bring healing?
I can think of healing or soothing words of a mother or a song that helps heal a broken heart. Our best healing words come from someone whom has given His life for us. Jeremiah 30:17 James 5:14, Psalms 146:8,
2 Kings 20:5, Luke 6:19, Jeremiah 17:14, Revelation 21:4, Isaiah 57:18-19
“‘I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near,’ says the Lord, ‘And I will heal them.’
Anon,
Thank you! You give us two types of “words,” words of comfort and words proclaiming God’s restoration. Both are excellent examples.
Proverbs 15: 4 says that a soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. It has always amazed me how our words, my words, can either bring life to a spirit or crush it. We all have a heavy responsibility to build rather then crush and we all have great power in our words. That is why they need to be guided by the Holy Spirit. James 3: 1 – 12 is a reminder of our power and our responsibility.
Thank you, Rich.
I know not many of us should be teachers (James 3:1) but I am so glad that you are! You have taught me a lot about being faithful to God’s Word.
07-17-2022, Proverbs 12:18, How do words bring healing?
It’s my wife’s Birthday today and I snuck off the store and bought her a card yesterday. I read every “ To My Wife “ card before I finally picked the one which most appropriately described my feelings for my wife.
I hid the card until after she was in bed and then put it out where she would find it when she woke up. She was happy to received the card, read every word out loud and with a big smile, gave me a big hug, kiss and thank you!
Words Have Meaning!
People who study other people for a living have determined the average person speaks at the rate of 140-180 words per minute, while they think at the rate of 400 words per minute. The numbers were 200 and 600 when I was a young man.
This gives new meaning to the phrase “ think at least twice before we speak.”
Jesus tells us, For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:37
We are not left on this world the bring division and strife, but to allow the peace and love of Christ be felt by others and need to speak accordingly. As Rich wrote, allow the Holy Spirit to control our words.
Ron,
You are are a romantic after all!
I like your stats on thinking speed versus talking speed and your advice that we think twice before we talk. Kind of like “measure twice, cut once.” Good, solid advice.
Thank you!