Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 293 – Proverbs 12:13-19 – Reckless Words – Growing As Disciples
An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble. From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him. The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies. Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Proverbs 12:13-19 (NIV)
Wise Words
That is what I want to speak. What do you want to speak? I want to speak wise words. I want life giving, healing words to come out of my mouth. That’s good, we both want the very same thing. Is there a problem? Yes, there is a huge problem. What’s that? I’m not wise. Wise, life giving, and healing words don’t naturally flow out of my mouth. If I am not exceedingly careful, I can and have spoken reckless words that have pierced others like a sword. It isn’t easy for me to overlook an insult. It is very difficult for me to hide my annoyance with someone who has mistreated me. I see. Yes, I am sure that you do see. What do you need from me? I need you to change my heart and transform my mind. I need you to help me to think and speak and act like you. I need a loving and forgiving heart. Stifling rash actions and reckless words that are in me, will never work. If they are in my heart and on my mind, they are certain to come out of my mouth. That is true. So, basically you want a heart transplant, is that correct? Yes, that is correct, without any doubt. So, you are not asking me to do cosmetic changes to your life? Absolutely not! I want the total makeover. I want the complete overhaul. I want you to mold and shape my life. I want to be able to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you. That is a very good desire. That is an excellent prayer. That is a very good hope and dream and desire. Do you believe that I will change your heart and transform your mind so that you will be able to think and speak and act like me? Do you believe that I will make you able to speak life giving words that will bring healing into the lives of others? I am certain that you will hear and answer my prayer. I am certain that you will make me able to speak life giving words that bring healing to others. I am certain that you will make my speaking rash and reckless words a thing of the distant past. Yes, I will hear and answer this prayer of yours. Thank you, Lord.
Lord, I have not always spoken wise words that brought healing to others. Instead, I have sometimes spoken reckless words that pierced like a sword. Forgive me. Give me wise words to speak so that the words of my mouth will bring healing to others. Amen
Key Question… How are you making sure that you speak wise words that brings healing to others?
Living It Out… Make it your desire, goal, and practice to speak wise words that will bring healing to others.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you can speak wise words that will bring healing to others
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have been able to speak wise words of healing to others.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you speak wise words that bring healing into the lives of others.
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