Being Wise in an Unwise World
In our pursuit of being wise in an unwise world, what comes out of our mouth is of utmost importance. As we read through Proverbs, the Book of Wisdom, we will quickly discover that chapter after chapter there is a lot to say about what we say. References to speech appear at least five times in each of the 31 chapters. In that final chapter is a very important verse: “She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” (Proverbs 31:26) Male or female this HAS to describe us. What comes out of our mouths matters!
Proverbs 21:23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guard his soul from troubles.
What comes out of our mouths matters! What doesn’t come out of our mouths matters as well! One of my favorite verses on what we say is about not saying anything. “Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.” (Prov. 17:28) We all know that there are times when saying nothing is the wisest things to do. Job wished his friends had employed a bit of this wisdom. “If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.” (Job 13:5NIV) There are situations where we simply need to keep our mouths shut.
There are times when what we say needs to be said with as few words as possible. Proverbs 10:19 warns, “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”
Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
Here is some refrigerator-worthy pieces of advice:
· Always remember to put brain into gear before engaging mouth.
· THINK before you speak. T: is it true? H: is it helpful? I: is it inspiring? N: is it necessary? K: is it kind?
First of all we need to think about what we think about. 2 Corinthians 10:5 refers to this as “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” The word translated “captive” (aichmalitizo) actually means to lasso and lead a specific direction. Where those thoughts and ensuing words needs to be led is along the path of Christlikeness. 1 Corinthians 2:16 tells us that “we have the mind of Christ.” With the Holy Spirit in our lives, it is possible to think like Jesus. We have to continually evaluate our thoughts: Does this sound like Christ? The world? Or me? John 1:17 says “Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” If it doesn’t sound like grace or truth, it doesn’t sound like Jesus. It definitely would not please the Father. Psalm 19:14NIV should be our continual prayer and pursuit.“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” All of these (Christlikeness, grace and truth, and God-pleasing) are practical filters when choosing what to say.
When we know we would be wise to keep our mouths shut and speak anyways, or keep talking when we have said enough, we are shoving the Holy Spirit aside as irrelevant. We are leaning on our own understanding. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 refers to it as “quenching the Spirit” – putting out His fire, stifling His power, hindering His work. On the other hand, asking Him to just take over mouth control is a cop-out avoiding our responsibility. Psalm 141:3’s “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips” does NOT mean He slams the door shut when we are about to say something unwise. The guard duty in this verse (shomra) is a supervisory role, our asking Him to ruthlessly make sure we keep our mouths shut or say only what is appropriate. We are accountable for what comes out of our mouths. “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” (Matthew 12:36NIV)
It is our right to say what we think, but saying what we think is not always right. 1 Corinthians 8:9 states, “But take care that this liberty (right) of your does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” “Words kill, words give life, they’re either poison or fruit.” (Prov. 18:21MSG) Our choice! “He who restrains his words has knowledge and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.”(Proverbs 17:27)
James 1:19 NIV tells us, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” We need to slow down and think. More often than not, the result not only changes what we say, but what we think and even who we are. Proverbs 23:7 tells us “For as he thinks within himself so he is.”
Proverbs 16:23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth and adds learning to his lips.
So let’s instruct our mouths on what being wise sounds like:
Proverbs 8:6-9 Listen, for I (Wisdom) will speak noble things; and the opening of my lips will reveal right things. For my mouth will utter truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing crooked or perverted in them. They are all straightforward to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.
1) Speaks noble things.
The Hebrew word is naqad. It means fitting to be heard by a noble, royalty, one in authority. Think about being granted an audience with someone VERY important: if you work, the head of the company; if you are British, the queen; the Governor or the President; or your “hero.” You would make sure what you say is worth their knowing, their time and attention. It would be well thought-out and backed with truth. It would not be a bunch of nonsense. Simply put, it is worth hearing. Remember, Proverbs 31:26 “She opens her mouth in wisdom” Noble things come out of her mouth, not foolishness.
2) Reveals right things.
Meshar refers to be straight and unwavering. Say what you mean and mean what you say. As the idioms go: the hearer can “take it to the bank” because the speaker is a “straight shooter,” which the dictionary defines as “a thoroughly upright straightforward person.” In other words, what you say is believable- no games or hidden agenda.
In Proverbs 23:15,16, a father expresses his absolute delight when meshar is what he hears coming out of his kid’s mouth. “My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.” A delight because everything that is said is believable.
3) Utters truth.
We looked at this word before when we talked about the wisest response towards others is always lovingkindness and truth. ‘Emet refers to consistency and continuity. It is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. It is what we say it is. It can be accepted as truth because it is absolutely dependable and trustworthy. The Word of God can be believed as truth because it is not going to change. My commitment, my witness, my statement can be taken as truth because it is not going to change.
4) Abhors wickedness.
The Hebrew word translated “wickedness” is resha, which the Bible encyclopedia says, “embodies that character which is opposite the character of God.” Simply put: ungodly. There is an easy test: If it doesn’t sound like Jesus, wouldn’t come out of His mouth, it is resha. And if Jesus wouldn’t say it, neither should we. Verse 7 says that these ungodly comments and expressions are an “abomination” - toweba = disgusting! Comments contrary to the character of Christ should leave a nasty taste in our mouths. “Taste memory” should deter us from saying anything like it in the future. “The wise instructs his mouth” to speak Christ-like, anything else is disgusting and distasteful.
5) Spoken in righteousness.
There is something wonderfully pure and holy about this word – tzedeq. There is also a delightful simplicity: alignment with what is right. It is the right thing at the right time in the right way for the right reason. It is absolutely appropriate. It is right or it isn’t right. We know it. We have been given the righteousness of Christ as our plumb line. The Holy Spirit is more than willing to convict us when we are getting out of alignment. We have to be willing to hear and heed.
6) Nothing crooked or perverted in what is said.
The word translated “crooked” is an interesting trait. Patal can be admirable or deplorable. It refers to being shrewd – insightful and astute. But it can also be cunning and devious, when that insight is twisted, tweaked, and manipulated for self-serving purposes. The word translated “perverted" is ‘iqqesh, it means to twist, distort, deceive and/or manipulate.
These two words are often used together. Both sound so obvious, but they are not and that is what makes them so deceitful. What is said isn’t what it sounds like nor does what it promises. Sound trustworthy but isn’t. Both patal and ‘iqqesh are verbs, and refer to the subtle action of altering what you see or hear. Tweaked and twisted just enough from truth so that at first it is hard to detect, however, over time the result is crooked, perverted and destructive. Being wise means there is no subtle deception or hidden agenda in what we say.
These two words are often used together. Both sound so obvious, but they are not and that is what makes them so deceitful. What is said isn’t what it sounds like nor does what it promises. Sound trustworthy but isn’t. Both patal and ‘iqqesh are verbs, and refer to the subtle action of altering what you see or hear. Tweaked and twisted just enough from truth so that at first it is hard to detect, however, over time the result is crooked, perverted and destructive. Being wise means there is no subtle deception or hidden agenda in what we say.
7) All straightforward.
The Hebrew word is nakhoach. It is honest and obvious. The dictionary defines “straightforward” as uncomplicated and easy to do and understand. Proverbs 8:9 says “It is straightforward to him who understands.” This refers to someone who takes the time and effort to go a little deeper = pulling back the curtain to see what is really going on, what truly is being meant. What that person finds is defining integrity – it is the real deal through and through.
8) Right.
This word, yashar, means just what we think it means. It is true. It is factually correct. It is trustworthy and believable. It stands up to scrutiny and being tested. That is where “those who find knowledge” come in. They are looking to see if it all adds ups, if it is provable. It does!
Quick recap of what being wise sounds like:
· Worth hearing.
· Believable
· Trustworthy and dependable.
· Christ-like.
· Absolutely appropriate.
· No subtle deception or hidden agenda.
· Defining integrity.
· Stands the test of scrutiny.
Isn’t this what we want from those who speak to us? Shouldn’t they expect it from us, especially when we call ourselves Christ-followers? James 3:13 asks, “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.” This follows eleven verses on controlling our tongues. What consistently comes out of our mouth declares if we truly are wise or not.
The key verse for this lesson is Proverbs 16:23– “The heart of the wise instructs his mouth and adds learning to his lips.” Instructions and learning need to be tested. Here’s the test:
· How wise do you sound?
· How wise are the ones you listen to?
· Do you – do they – check off all the elements Proverbs 8:6-9?
If we want godly wisdom to flow out of our mouth (“She opens her mouth in wisdom” - Proverbs 31:26), godly stuff needs to flow into our hearts and minds. (For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. - Matthew 12:34b) Compare the 3 lists of 8 given in James 3:17 (the characteristics of godly wisdom), Proverbs 8:6-9 (what being wise sounds like) and Philippians 4:8 (what should be filling our minds.) I hope and pray these passages weave together and have the same powerful impact on your life as they have mine.
James 3:17
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Proverbs 8:6-9
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Philippians 4:8
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Pure
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Speaks noble things
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True
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Peaceable
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Reveals right things
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Honorable
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Gentle
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Utters truth
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Right
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Reasonable
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Abhors wickedness
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Pure
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Full of mercy
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Spoken in righteousness
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Lovely
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Full of good fruit
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Nothing crooked or perverted
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Good repute
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Unwavering
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All straightforward
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Excellent
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Without hypocricy
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Right
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Worthy of praise
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