Proverbs 12

I was recently reading through my devotions when a certain Proverb seemed to point directly at me. It was one of those cool convictions of the Holy Spirit that comes from something you’ve read several times. For those of you who don’t know me, I am an extremely funny guy. This, unfortunately, carries with it a fair share of awkward times and stupid slip ups. It has been a huge problem for me in my life. So, I opened my Bible and read this:

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”
Proverbs 12:18-20

How convicting. I cannot explain to you the myriad of times and ways that my rash words have been as sword thrust. And bring healing? Only on the rarest occasions, if I am honest, do my lips bring healing. Not only that, but the Proverb says that he who lies, his tongue last for but a moment. No one remembers or likes a liar. Yet truthful lips endure forever. When the truth is said, it last forever. Why am I not more concerned with telling truthful things that heal than lying sword thrust that cause laughter?

This Bible reading was also coupled with my memorization of Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Another verse full of challenge that Christians hardly take at face value. The verse clearly says that all of your words ought to build others up. Think of that. A person who, when they leaves your presence, always leaves you better than when they came. No matter what kind of day they are having, what movies they have been watching, or the kind of mood they are in, they are building up. Proverbs 12 also points this out in verse 25, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” That would surely give grace to those who hear. Why am I not that person?

Not only did Proverbs 12 give me a goal to shoot for, it also gave me the means to meet that goal:

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid”
Proverbs 12:1

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but the wise man listens to advice.”
Proverbs 12:15

It seems obvious that advice from others is the way to better ourselves. We must listen to those who give us advice, and reproof. I have a pride problem, and as a result, most times regard advice as misplaced, or just flat out wrong. Yet the Bible says that is stupid! The wis man listens to advice, they are not right in their own eyes. Yet I think this almost overtime someone tries to offer me practical advice. I think to myself, They don’t know what I am thinking, they don’t get it. I am my own moral and social compass. How foolish.

Yet, we must be careful of those we seek for reproof and advice:

“The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.”
Proverbs 12:5
“One who is righteous is a guide to the neighbor...”
Proverbs 12:26a

So, from these passages I have resolved to be more deliberate in building other up with my speech. That initials also watching my jokes, even if others laugh, that they are not hurtful or demeaning. To do this I will seek reproof and advice from those who are righteous and wise. And of course pray like mad that I might achieve this.