Lesson Three: Wisdom : Skills in Speech

Transcription

1 Lesson Three: Wisdom : Skills in Speech Goal: To get the student to see that divine wisdom and divine knowledge are the keys to the right decisions in life. To get the student to see the importance of being in God s Word daily. Introduction: Read: James 3:3-8 It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 A. What kind of power do words have? B. Of the seven things that God detests in Pro. 6: 16 19, How Many deal with speech? C. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. Proverbs 17:28 ( modern day version: It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt) I. Speech with wisdom is an awesome gift from God: A.. Wise words are compared to gold and silver Students will only have scripture references. i.e. Pro, 10:20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. Proverbs 10:20 B. Words are like Refreshing Water [11] The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. Proverbs 10:11 [4] The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. Proverbs 18:4 [14] The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. Proverbs 13:14 C. Right Words are like nourishment and health to the person [4] The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4

2 21The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment. Proverbs 10:21 [20] From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. Proverbs 18:20 [18] Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 [14] From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him. Proverbs 12:14 [2] From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful have a craving for violence. Proverbs 13:2 [24] Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 [20] My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. [21] Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; [22] for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. Proverbs 4:20-22 Notice the four things for healthy words: 1. Pay Attention 2. Listen closely 3. Focus on them 4. Keep them Notice the results: They are life and health to the whole body II. Speech can be used to do good. A. Our words can bring peace instead of fighting A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. Proverbs 15:18 B. Words can help restore those who have sinned like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear. Proverbs 25:12 He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue. Proverbs 28:23

3 He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. Proverbs 10:17 C. Words can educate The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. Proverbs 15:7 Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. my mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. Proverbs 8:6-8 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment. Proverbs 10:13 D. Words can rescue people A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful. Proverbs 14:25 Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done? Proverbs 24:11-12 E. Words can encourage those who are burdened An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. Proverbs 12:25 A man finds joy in giving an apt reply-- and how good is a timely word! Proverbs 15:23 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. Proverbs 24:26 III. Words Can be used for evil A. Lying Words hurt people Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Proverbs 12:19 A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. Proverbs 14:5

4 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful. Proverbs 14:25 A false witness will not go unpunished, go free. Proverbs 19:5 and he who pours out lies will not A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will perish. Proverbs 19:9 The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever. Proverbs 21:28 Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, or use your lips to deceive. Proverbs 24:28 A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue. Proverbs 17:4 B. Gossip is a sin of the tongue A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret. Proverbs 11:13 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much. Proverbs 20:19 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts. Proverbs 18:8, 26:22 A scoundrel plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends. Proverbs 16:27-28 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9 Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. Proverbs 26:20 C. Angry words are a sin of the tongue. An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. Proverbs 29:22 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. Proverbs 26:21

5 Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. Proverbs 26:23 Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12 [25] Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. [26] "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, Ephes. 4:25-26 Speak when you are angry wrote Ambrose Bierce, and you will make the best speech you will ever regret. IV. Words of a Righteous man lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse. Proverbs 10:32 A man finds joy in giving an apt reply--and how good is a timely word! Proverbs 15:23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. Proverbs 21:23 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. Proverbs 15:28 A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear. Proverbs 25:11-12 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment. Proverbs 10:13 Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. Proverbs 10:14 A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction Proverbs 16:23 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms he mouth of the wicked. Proverbs 10:11 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21