JUN 15

Ecclesiastes 10:11-15
Memorise James 3:2
“The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious”

Next with regards to speech, again Solomon draws a contrast between the way of the foolish and the wise. Firstly the fool is described as a babbler, whose tongue has to be controlled like how a snake charmer controls a snake. If left without control, the lips of a fool will bite like a serpent, causing grievous harm to others, and swallow himself up – meaning to say he will say things which cause his own hurt and leads to his own destruction. Thus he is a man who does not know how to control his tongue, or when is the right time to say the right words. The words from his mouth are foolishness, and all he speaks are but ‘mischievous madness’. But yet he is a man full of words. As the saying goes ‘empty vessels make the most noise’, the way he works, is also wearisome to the people around him. For he does not even know how to get to his place of work, but yet babbles away as if he knows much.

In contrast the words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, and he is everything that the fool is not. He speaks few, controlled words of wisdom, and through his speech he is able to edify and encourage others. Out of his mouth exudes grace, kindness and humility. He is cautious in his speech, and does not foolishly and recklessly speak words out of turn. As James also says, ‘if any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body’ (James 3:2).

It takes a certain amount of discipline and godly wisdom to ensure that our speech is like the wise man’s and not the fool’s. How many times have we, in a moment of rashness or carelessness, spoken a word out of turn that hurt others, or caused misunderstandings? How many wonderful friendships, familial relationships or even marriages have been destroyed, because they could not bridle their tongue? All these happened, because the people involved were not wise in their speech. May we all learn to control our tongues (and our keyboards), to be careful and wise before we say any word at all, for in so doing we maintain our testimony for the Lord.

Thought: The things I type online are my ‘virtual speech’ which I must also be careful about.
Prayer: Lord, may You help me to have the words of wise men, that are gracious, careful and honouring to Thee.