SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 2/28/2013
9:19 PM
My Worship Time Focus:
Speech Is an Awesome Gift from God
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Proverbs
Message of the
verses: We looked at the introduction
to the ninth chapter from Warren Wiersbe’s commentary on the book of Proverbs which
is entitled “A Matter of Life or Death (Human Speech). In today’s SD we will look at the fact that
speech is a gift of God so that we can communicate with Him, but most of all so
that He can communicate with us.
Professor Steven Pinker states “The ability [to speak]
comes so naturally that we are apt to forget what a miracle it is. Language is not a cultural artifact that we
learn to tell time of how the federal government works. Instead, it is a distinct piece of the biological
makeup of our brains.” An I suppose that
we need to remember that it was God who designed us and therefore made our
brains to enable us to speak. After
creating Adam God communicated with him, and so when Eve was created Adam was
able to communicate with her through speech.
I have to agree whole-heartily with Professor Pinker that speech does
come naturally and therefore we tend to take it for granted and do not praise
the Lord for our ability to be able to speak. Proverbs 16:1 states, “The plans
of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.”
We will not look at some different images that the book
of Proverbs gives us for human speech.
First we will look at speech as compared to jewels, and gold and silver. Proverbs 10:20 “The tongue of the righteous
is as choice silver, The heart of the wicked is worth little.” Here we see that the wise person uses his
speech for good use, while the wicked uses it for different reasons. Now we will look at Proverbs 25:11-12, “11
¶ Like apples of gold in settings of
silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances. 12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of
fine gold Is a wise reprover to a listening ear.” Balancing our words so that they can be like
gold or silver is the way we should use them.
“9 In addition to being a wise
man, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge; and he pondered, searched
out and arranged many proverbs. 10 The
Preacher sought to find
delightful words and to write words of truth correctly. 11 The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of
these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd
(Eccl. 12:9-11).”
Next we look at words being like refreshing water: “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, But the
mouth of the wicked conceals violence (Pr. 10:11).” Next Proverbs 18:4, “The words of a man’s
mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.” When we go to church and the Pastor speaks
wonderful words from his sermon then it is like taking a good drink from a refreshing
well. “The fear of the LORD is a
fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death (Pr. 14:27 NKJV).” We must listen and really hear when the wise
speak to us, “Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the
discipline of fools is folly (Pr. 16:22).”
I have been praying for the salvation of my oldest daughter for many
years and one of the things that I pray for is that the soil of her heart will
be prepared to hear and accept the gospel.
Next we look at right words being like nourishing, health-giving
food. “A soothing tongue is a tree of
life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit (Pr.15:4).” It is wonderful to be able to say the right
words to someone who is down and in need of hearing some encouraging words that
will enable them to get over the problem that they are facing. I want to quote an endnote that speaks of the
“tree of life.” “According to Genesis
3:1-7, Satan tempted Eve to eat of the forbidden tree so she would become like
God, ‘knowing good and evil.’ But it isn’t
necessary to disobey God to develop discernment; His divine wisdom instructs us
concerning good and evil, and is our ‘tree of life’ (see Proverbs 3:18).” “She is a tree of life to those who take hold
of her, And happy are all who hold her fast.”
Now let us look at Proverbs 10:21, “The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die
for lack of understanding.” Now Proverbs
16:24, “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the
bones.” Now Proverbs 12:18 “There is one
who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Now I want to quote another end not on something that the
Apostle Paul spoke of when he wrote to Timothy about “healthy doctrine or sound
doctrine.” “The Greek word translated ‘sound’
(hugiaino) gives us the English word ‘hygiene,’
and means, ‘to be sound in health.” We
can then say that sound doctrine is healthy doctrine which will nourish us spiritually
and even sometimes will help us in our health.
Paul writes to Timothy in the last letter that he penned stating that in
the end days people will not endure healthy doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3). Paul writes of those who belong to the cults “17 For their teachings are as dangerous as
blood-poisoning to the body, and spread like sepsis from a wound. Hymenaeus and
Philetus are responsible for this sort of thing, and 18 they are men who are palpable traitors to the
truth, for they say that the resurrection has already happened and, of course, badly
upset some people’s faith (2Timothy 2:17018 Phillips).”
Dr. Wiersbe concludes with the following words, “The Christian
who recognizes how awesome is the gift of speech will not abuse that gift but
will dedicate it to the glory of God.
The New Testament scholar Bishop B. F. Westcott wrote, ‘Every year makes
me tremble at the daring with which people speak of spiritual things.’ We all need to heed the words of
Solomon: ‘Do not be rash with your
mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore
let your words be few’ (Eccl. 5:2 NKJV).”
Spiritual meaning for my life today: I have to say that the words that Solomon
writes in Eccl. 5:2 have to be what I desire to obey, and not just today.
My Steps of Faith for Today: Heed the words of Solomon.
Memory verses for the
week: Psalm 32:1-4
1 How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered! 2 How blessed is the
man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit! 3 When I kept silent about my sin, my body
wasted away through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained
away like the fever heat of summer. Selah.
Turning Points Wisdom for
Today: “There is no pit so deep that God
is not deeper still.” (Corrie Ten
Boom). “These things I have spoken to
you, that in Me you may have peace. In
this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the
World.” (John 16:33)
2/28/2013 10:07 PM
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