Proverbs: The Tongue
1. Find the right words, find the right path. (10:11, 13-14, 18-21, 31-32)
-If you love to talk, be careful that you are not speaking what is not your to say. (11:9, 12-13; 12:5-6)
-Words are like work—for good or bad! (12:13-20)
-If words are humble, limited, and true, you preserve your health. (12:21-26; 3:3, 5)
-Avoid the mouth with foolish talk. (14:3, 5, 7)
-When speaking, clothe truth with kindness. (15:1-4)
2. The tongue’s knowledge reveals the heart. (15:7-8, 26)
-Ponder… don’t pour! (15:28-32; 16:20-24)
-Listening is equally important! (17:4-5, 27-28; 18:13,17)
-Words are worth more than you think! (18:4-8)
-To bear witness is a wondrous gift and responsibility. (18:21; 19:5, 9)
3. Are you naturally strife-repellant or strife-attracting?
(20:3, 19-20, 25; 21:6, 23-24, 28)
-Let nothing . . . alcohol, politics, or deceit give you reason to avoid straight speech. (23:30-33; 24:24-29)
-Shame-prevention: words spoken in time and in a healthy spirit. (25:9-15)
-Consider how a fool will respond to your message—never let him carry it! (23:9; 26:4-7, 18-19)
4. Tongue-junk is true harm; tongue-sincerity, true love.
(26:28; 27:2-6)
5. Words let you trust in the Lord!
(22:17-19; 28:13) Matthew 15:11; 12:36