Do you think that you can reprove words, when the speech of a despairing man is wind?

Job 6

Do you think that you can reprove words, when the speech of a despairing man is wind? Job 6:26

This morning, until I start a new Bible study, I continue using devotionals from John Piper.  Today, the post focuses on how we or others speak from temporary pain or struggle.  Job's friends attempted to disprove the words Job spoke from pain and Piper encourages us to look not at the temporary darkness as we know from time to time there will be pain (John 16:33), but the words we speak from pain will pass. Piper encourages us to "learn to discern whether the words spoken against us, or against God, or against the truth, are merely for the wind — spoken not from the soul, but from the sore. If they are for the wind, let us wait in silence and not reprove. Restoring the soul, not reproving the sore, is the aim of our love."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is with us always - through pain and suffering - and You are both deeper and more lasting.  You are everlasting and You are light and hope, and so much more.  I am grateful that You entered my heart and life - blessings beyond description!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such a God.  I sin...daily, including worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

Proverbs 17

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. v27

I have often used words to criticize others - including those in my own family.  

James is instructive here as well: 

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:6 

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20

I need God to give me restraint.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is SO patient with me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love. I often lack patience with others. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.

Proverbs 21

Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. v23

We are to love and encourage one another.  Solomon warns us that otherwise we are to experience calamity...this is true as I have experienced this myself far too many times.  Thank You Jesus for Your great mercies.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. Hebrews 3:13-14

See other posts here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are! You are so full of love, mercy, compassion, kindness, patience, etc.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such efforts.  I continue to be harsh with my words...please forgive me!  Help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Help me use words to encourage others and not tear them down.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and the side effects of chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and that they choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve my family and serve You and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. v21

James also speaks of the power of the tongue:

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:5:12

Earlier in Proverbs 18 it says:

To answer before listening—that is folly and shame. v13

As such James says:

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20

I must guard my heart so my words can be used to build up others, encourage them and not tear them down.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Word and the Word is You and it is flawless, alive, and suitable for all purposes.  Thank You God for sending Your Son, the Holy Spirit, the Word, the church, brothers and sisters in Christ, etc...all for me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such efforts.  I am very often slow to listen, quick to speak and quick to anger.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead both Zach and Dustin to You Jesus so that You become their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve my family in ways that You desire and intend.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

Proverbs 17

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. v27

I have studied much lately, particularly in Proverbs, on how use of words is important in our relationships.  This morning the focus is on how important it is is use words with restraint and to be quiet and listen.  Too often I react quickly to what people have to say rather than listening and understanding.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20

Lord Jesus, help me become more even-tempered and to use words with restraint.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are that You are full of patience, restraint, compassion, mercy, etc. for me...even though I know I am quite not deserving!  Please forgive me for my anger and my harshness towards others.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and that they accept You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve my family and serve You and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15

The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. v4

Building on what I posted yesterday, the scripture today also focuses on how use of words when speaking can either build or encourage others or tear them down.  I know for myself that I have too often done the latter.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up[.] Thessalonians 5:11

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are.  You are the Word and the Word is God, and Your Word is encouraging - it is light.  Your word is a lamp unto my feet. Thank You Jesus!  I cannot walk without You.  Yet I often am not a light unto others and I tear people down.  Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and lead them to You to be their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. v1

I have recently posted on two other occasions about how words should be used to encourage vs tear others down - see here and here. 

This morning the focus is how words damage relationships and I know how this happens because I have often used my words to tear others down and I know this damages relationships.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of patience, compassion, kindness, mercy, etc.  My words cannot do justice to Your greatness.  I know I need a God like You because I cannot do any good things without You.  Thank You for mercies and patience for me.  Please forgive me for my weakness and failure to seek You for protection from temptation and sin.  Help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me be gentle with my words.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Please help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and lead them to You Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Help me glorify You with my life.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.

Proverbs 14

A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them. v3

Last week and the week before that I posted about how how words flow from the heart and how words can be used to build one another up and to encourage others, or to tear others down.

This morning I am reminded about how it is important to listen.


My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry[.] James 1:19

People listened to me expectantly, waiting in silence for my counsel. Job 29:21

Be still, and know that I am God[.] Psalm 46:10

My Prayer: Lord, I know that You are God and that You are in control. I am thankful for this because I mess things up - if I do things my way I mess things up.  Please forgive me for too often doing things my way.  Help me overcome my sin and turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. v18

Last week I posted about how words can be used to build one another up or to tear someone down.  In Luke 6, Jesus explains the role of the heart in how we use our words:

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:45

If we focus on loving God (Exodus 20, Matthew 22:37-40) and on being transformed by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2), we can begin to soften our heart towards Jesus and others.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the way, the truth, and the life.  I have sin in my life and only You can cleanse me of my sin.  I need You.  Yet too often I reject You and am disobedient. Please forgive me Jesus!  Thank You for Your grace and mercy.  I am not worth such love.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me soften my heart and be more like You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.

Proverbs 10

Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.  The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense. v19-21

Words can be used to encourage and build people up, or they can be used to tear others down.  Too often I tear others down, particularly those in my own family.

James is instructive.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:3-12

I must spend more time in praise and encouragement of God and others...or be silent and still.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are that You provide Your Word as a means to both encourage and renew my mind - so that I can be transformed and more like You.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such efforts and love.  I continue to be harsh with my words and actions. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.

Psalm 37

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip. v30-31

I know that "the tongue is also a fire" (James 3) as I have used my words to tear down others, including people close to me.  I also know that when I focus on "being transformed by the renewing of the mind" (Romans 12), my heart and my life are transformed.  As a result, more of my words are used to build up and to encourage one another.  

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. Hebrews 3:13-14     

Fathers,do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

 

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You indeed are a great God in that Your Word is flawless and it never fails.  I know that apart from You I can do nothing (no good thing).  You are such a great teacher, full of compassion, patience, mercy, etc.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God as I am not  compassionate, patient, merciful, etc. with others as You are with me.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin.  Help me use my words to encourage and to build up others (vs tear them down).  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

Jude 1

These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. v16

Holy cow - Jude is referring to me!  I am a grumbler and faultfinder and and oft-repeated prayer of mine is that I stop being critical and harsh of others, particularly those in my family.  I need to use words to encourage not tear down.  I need to choose my words carefully.  Help me Jesus!

See also Proverbs 17, Romans 14, John 4, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4 among some of the scripture references that offer my help this morning.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and Your words have authority - they are Truth...I DO need to speak as if You are speaking.  I very often use words to grumble and to find fault...please forgive me Jesus!  I don't want to tear others down but instead love!  Help me Jesus!  Help me overcome such sin, turn from it, and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister[d] or judges them speaks against the law and judges it.

James 4

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. v11

We are told that we are to love others as Jesus loves us - and so this goes without saying - we are not to judge our brothers and sisters.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God full of love, mercy, compassion, etc. for me even though You know everything about me, including my sin.  You are so patient!  Thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me for me lack of action - You call me to action and many times I am not in action - please forgive me!  Help me turn from my sin and towards You.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa comfort and strength as she recovers from this surgery.  Praise God for the successful surgery yesterday - You are awesome God!  Please heal and cure Lisa (quickly!) of this cancer and its side effects from the medication.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me be in action. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

James 3

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. v6

Indeed, words can be fraught with harm and hurt so we must be careful - as much as anybody I know this as I have been on the delivering end of harmful and hurtful words.

On the other hand:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

...

For no word from God will ever fail. Luke 1:37 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and Your Word is perfect, never harmful or hurtful - always for good, and it will never fail!  How awesome a God are You!  I am blessed beyond description to have such a God - a God who chose me!  Thank You Jesus.  Thank You also for Your patience, mercy, compassion, etc. Please forgive me for my neglect of You and for my focus on my own comfort instead.  Help me overcome and turn from such sin and turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me use my tongue wisely.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa comfort, strength, and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure Lisa of this cancer.  Help this surgery go successfully!  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

2 Timothy 2

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. v23-26

What comes out of our mouth is a sign of what is in our heart so if we are quarreling, we have a heart issue.  Additionally, quarreling is not Godly per Paul in his words to Timothy.  

See also

• Ephesians 4 
• James 3 

My Prayer: Lord what an awesome God You are that You created language that we can communicate in sophisticated ways - writing, songs, movies, speaking, etc.  How awesome are You that provide all of this and You do it for Your glory!  You have gifted me with words - sometimes I use it for Your glory but sometimes I don't but instead am harsh with my words.  Thank You for blessing me with such gifts, but please forgive me if I fail to use them for Your glory!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me glorify You by using words to encourage and bring others to You.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort, and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. v29

I know that the tongue in powerful indeed but what is in the heart is most important.

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:6

...

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.  Luke 6:45

I must focus on renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are pure, holy and blameless.  Your words and actions are only for good. And I know I was created in Your image to glorify You.  Yet I do harm with my words.  I am not worth Your love and blessings.  Please forgive me and help me turn from such sin.  Help me turn towards You instead and help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me use words for encouragement and love.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.