Speech is the subject of today’s devotional from Proverbs 10:13-14.
Proverbs 10:13 – “In the lips of him that hath understanding [discernment] wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding [the foolish will not go unpunished]. 14 Wise men lay up [become a treasure and storehouse for] knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction [destruction is always present for those with silly, foolish lips].”
We live in a day of mass communication when anyone with a smartphone is capable of displaying his wisdom or foolishness on Twitter and Facebook for all to see. I am sure I am not alone in observing someone’s selfie and accompanying caption and left wondering, “What in the world were they thinking!”
What can we determine about someone’s character based on what they verbalize in writing or conversation? Follow a man’s life, listen to his conversation long enough and you can discern the wise man from the foolish. The characteristic of a wise man is he is a student of God’s Word and a conveyor of knowledge, wisdom and discernment. By contrast, the foolish tend to be loud, silly, obnoxious, lacking in discernment and offensive in words and conduct.
Warning: A lack of discretion in words and deeds is not limited to the foolishness of youth. Age does not equal wisdom no more than it does maturity. Too often foolish counsel proceeds from the mouths of those who should know better, but whose thoughts have not been saturated by the study and teaching of God’s Word. It is such a man, one who has failed to hear and heed God’s Word, whose words and actions not only call for punishment, but also demand it.
Paul’s exhortation to Timothy offers advise for those who would aspire to wisdom.
1 Timothy 4:12-13 – “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example [pattern or model] of the believers, in word [public conversation], in conversation [daily life and walk], in charity [love], in spirit [meek; forgiving], in faith [religious convictions], in purity [integrity; sinlessness]. 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading [public and private reading of God’s Word], to exhortation [pastor and teacher’s application of Truth], to doctrine [teaching God’s Word].”
I urge you to become a student of God’s Word. Read your Bible daily and make the teaching and preaching of God’s Word a priority for life.
Copyright 2014 – Travis D. Smith