Rev. David Holwick
First Baptist Church
West Lafayette, Ohio
December 4, 1988
Proverbs 10:18-21
WISDOM IN WORDS - Watch That Tongue!
I. Words are important in Proverbs.
A. 6:16-19 - Three out of 7 abominations are examples of misuse
of words.
II. Power of words. "Death and Life is in the power of tongue." 18:21
A. Words hurt feelings.
12:18a - "There [are words] that speaketh like the
piercings of a sword..."
1) Tell child it's stupid.
2) Tell spouse they're ugly.
a) Told Celeste she had bad breath on early date.
Was almost last date.
Glad I didn't tell her some other things.
B. Words can build up the human spirit.
12:18b - "...but the tongue of the wise is health."
16:24 - "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the
soul, and health to the bones."
1) The power of encouragement.
a) Barnabas in NT.
2) Make people feel worthwhile, important.
a) Young children especially need this.
C. Words affect our attitudes about others. (Gossip)
1) Gossip is fun, interesting.
18:8 - "The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to a man's inmost parts."
2) Gossip destroys.
16:28 - "A froward [perverse] man sows strife: and a
whisperer (gossip) separates chief friends."
Writer and marriage expert Carole Mayhall gets call.
Person had heard they are divorced. Called to check
it out. Relieved to find it was false.
III. Weakness of words.
A. Words are no substitute for deeds.
14:23 - "In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the
lips tends to produce only poverty."
B. Words cannot force results.
29:19 - "A servant will not be corrected by words: for though
he understand he will not answer."
1) Listener must make own search for wisdom.
Reader's Digest:
Eddie Lovett sought books and wisdom. Son of sharecropper.
Well-respected in county. Charles Kuralt profiled him on
"CBS Evening News." Vast personal library.
Son Sophocles did not listen.
Arrested for writing bad checks.
Arrested for attempted rape.
Arrested and sentenced for more bad checks.
Out of prison, abducted girlfriend. (Kidnapping; murder?)
Eddie ashamed.
Greek philosopher boy was named after wrote, "There is no
happiness where there is no wisdom."
Eddie says, "You don't get wisdom from books. No, no. That
comes from above. That comes from above."
2) Evil words also cannot force results.
a) Gossip has power only over evildoers. 17:4 -
"A wicked doer gives heed to false lips; and a liar
gives ear to a naughty tongue."
IV. Words at their best.
A. The marks of good words:
1) True.
a) 16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and
they love him that speaketh right.
2) Few.
a) 10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he
who holds his tongue is wise.
b) 11:12 A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor,
but a man of understanding holds his tongue.
c) 13:3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he
who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
d) 17:28 Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is
wise: and he that shuts his mouth is esteemed
a man of understanding.
3) Calm.
a) 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath.
(Contentious business meetings)
4) Appropriate.
a) 15:23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and
a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
1> Especially in times of grief.
2> Let the Spirit do the talking. (Rom 8)
B. The maker of good words.
1) Words reflect our true character.
a) What we say wells up from what we are.
1> 14:5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false
witness will utter lies.
b) Cf. Jesus, Matt 12:34, "Out of the abundance of the
heart the mouth speaks."
2) Our words must be rooted in, and motivated by, love.
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Derek Kidner
Proverbs
Pages 46 ff.
I. Words are important in Proverbs.
A. 3 out of 7 abominations in 6:16-19 are examples of misuse
of words.
II. Power of words. "Death and Life in power of tongue." 18:21
A. Penetration.
1) Hurts feelings.
a) 12:18a, 18:14
2) Builds up our spirit.
a) 12:18b,25, 16:24
3) Attitudes about others affected. 18:8
4) Self-esteem affected. 29:5
5) Beliefs and convictions are affected. 11:9, 10:21
B. Spread.
1) For evil.
a) 16:27b,28a, 6:14
2) For good.
a) 12:14, 10:11, 15:4
b) Both temporal and eternal good in view.
III. Weakness of words.
A. No substitute for deeds. 14:2
B. Cannot alter facts. 26:23-28, 28:24, 24:12
C. Cannot compel response. 29:19
1) Listener must make own search for wisdom. (Reader's Digest) 2:3,4, 17:10
2) Evil words also cannot compel response.
a) Gossip has power only over evildoers. 17:4
IV. Words at their best.
A. The marks of good words.
1) Honest. 16:13, 24:24-26
2) Few. 17:28 (ironic), 10:14, 13:3, 11:12,13, 10:19
3) Calm. 17:27
a) Allows time for a fair hearing. 18:13
b) Allows tempers to cool. 15:1
c) Its influence is potent. 25:15
(Contemptous business meetings?)
4) Apt. 15:23, 10:20, 25:11
B. The making of good words.
1) Study. 15:28, 15:2
2) Character.
a) What we say wells up from what we are. 14:5, 12:17
b) Tongue is often weighed against heart. 10:20, 4:23*
1> Cf. Jesus, Matt 12:34, "Out of the abundance of
heart the mouth speaks."
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Main Points from verse organization:
I. Words from God.
A. 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come
knowledge and understanding.
II. Good words.
A. 5:2 that you may maintain discretion and your lips may
preserve knowledge.
III. Bad words.
A. Gossip.
B. Slander.
C. Lies.
1) 6:2 if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the
words of your mouth,
D. Flattery.
1) 5:3 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is
smoother than oil;
