Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye
MEMORIZE: “There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.” (Prov. 12:18).
READ: Matthew 12:33-37
One way to identify the wise is by their attitude towards evangelism. Is it sporadic or sustained? The wise believer does not leave evangelism to chance. He plans how many souls he will win every week, month and year. The wise should continue in this venture until the moment of death. May you be wise!
“There is that speaketh like the piercing of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.” (Prov. 12:18). From this scripture, you can tell a wise fellow by the kind of words that come out of his mouth. When some people use certain words on their offenders, the latter could be so hurt they may contemplate suicide. If your words are as sharp as a sword, you are not wise. Words are not to be used as swords and spears but as medicine. It is a wise fellow who speaks and soothes the broken hearted. If your words cannot bind up the broken hearted or give hope to the hopeless, you lack wisdom. It is important to know how to speak right. While speaking, deliberately choose words that are mild, soothing, encouraging and edifying. “Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones” (Prov. 16:24). Whenever you speak right, your words deliver healing to your hearer. There are certain sicknesses that only words can heal. It is the wise fellow that speaks such words. Do your words heal or kill?
One reason the wise carefully choose his words is he knows that he shall account for every idle word he speaks. He also knows that all the words men have spoken will be evaluated before being justified to go to Heaven or condemned to hell. It is wisdom therefore to avoid judgmental words. It is also wisdom to use words that do not demean your brother or sister. For instance, when angry, instead of saying, ‘you must be crazy’, you can say, ‘Some of your actions are not as encouraging as expected’; or instead of a judgmental comment such as ‘You don’t care’, you can say, ‘It is expected for a reputable leader like you to increase your level of care’. At least, the alternatives are more tolerable. Avoid provocative words. If whenever you intervene in a matter, rather than settle the quarrel, the situation is aggravated, it means your words are fiery. Ask God to douse the fire in your words by the water of His Word.
PRAYER POINT:
A believer who is not in control of his or her words is allowing destiny to slip off his or her hands. Father, help me to be swift to hear but slow to speak and slow to wrath.
Bible in One year: Psa. 25-27
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