Scripture
1To learn, you must love discipline;
it is stupid to hate correction.
2The Lord approves of those who are good,
but he condemns those who plan wickedness.
3Wickedness never brings stability,
but the godly have deep roots.
4A worthy wife is a crown for her husband,
but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.
5The plans of the godly are just;
the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
6The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush,
but the words of the godly save lives.
7The wicked die and disappear,
but the family of the godly stands firm.
8A sensible person wins admiration,
but a warped mind is despised.
9Better to be an ordinary person with a servant
than to be self-important but have no food.
10The godly care for their animals,
but the wicked are always cruel.
11A hard worker has plenty of food,
but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.
12Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot,
but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.
13The wicked are trapped by their own words,
but the godly escape such trouble.
14Wise words bring many benefits,
and hard work brings rewards.
15Fools think their own way is right,
but the wise listen to others.
16A fool is quick-tempered,
but a wise person stays calm when insulted.
17An honest witness tells the truth;
a false witness tells lies.
18Some people make cutting remarks,
but the words of the wise bring healing.
19Truthful words stand the test of time,
but lies are soon exposed.
20Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil;
joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
21No harm comes to the godly,
but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22The Lord detests lying lips,
but he delights in those who tell the truth.
23The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge,
but fools broadcast their foolishness.
24Work hard and become a leader;
be lazy and become a slave.
25Worry weighs a person down;
an encouraging word cheers a person up.
26The godly give good advice to their friends;[1]
the wicked lead them astray.
27Lazy people don’t even cook the game they catch,
but the diligent make use of everything they find.
28The way of the godly leads to life;
that path does not lead to death.
Translation notes (1)
- 12:26 Or The godly are cautious in friendship; or The godly are freed from evil. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
18Some people make cutting remarks,
but the words of the wise bring healing.
We practice care and caution in so much that we do. We are careful with our decisions, finances, driving, and so many more things. While there are many things that we do with caution, one thing that we are not always careful with is the words we say. We sometimes find ourselves recklessly speaking without thinking at all. We say words we regret that we can never take back. The truth is the words we say have an incredible impact, for better or worse. As a result, we have to be wise and careful with our words.
Proverbs 12:18 gives us wisdom about using our words cautiously and wisely. The writer of this proverb wrote, "Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing." Our words have a profound impact. They can cut people down and cause a lot of destruction. These kinds of words are reckless and dangerous. Have you ever seen someone speak these destructive words? In an instant, they can completely tear someone down. They can destroy others, cause unbelievably hurt, and destroy someone's confidence. But, on the other hand, wise words heal. I am sure you have seen this truth. Have you seen how the slightest word of encouragement can change someone's attitude? This is the power that our words can have, and this power is something that we must take seriously.
Because of the power of our words, we have to take the words we say seriously. We must be careful with how we speak to the people around us, including in moments of conflict. We must understand that our words are powerful and cannot be taken back. Yes, we can apologize for hurtful words, but we cannot take them back. Therefore, we have to speak carefully and cautiously, understanding the impact our words can have.
moving toward action
You have heard the adage, "Think before you speak." Take this instruction to heart today. Truly think before you speak, considering the power that your words have. Then, at the end of your day, think about how being careful with your words impacted others. Our words are important; we must always consider their power.
Going Deeper
Going Deeper - Proverbs 12:1-28
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