Pam Padgett ... teacher
Proverbs 17:27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
One of the ways the flesh tries to exalt itself and tries to show itself
to be wise is by speaking many words. But a godly person, having
wisdom and knowledge from God, takes care in what he speaks. Rather
than allowing the tongue to speak uncontrolled, the godly person tries
to keep his heart pure and humbly brings forth those things
that are pleasing to God.
James counseled us to be ready to hear, but slow to speak and to be
angry. He also warned us of the evil that the tongue can bring forth,
and that we are not to allow this ...
James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift
to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh
not the righteousness of God.
James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in
word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and
we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though
they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned
about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even
so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold,
how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a
world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth
the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set
on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of
serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of
mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of
deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith
curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the
same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine,
figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew
out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
While considering these things, I was also reminded of the following ...
Ecclesiastes 5:Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God,
and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they
consider not that they do evil. 2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let
not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in
heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
Surely we are to pour our hearts out to God and bring forth our requests
to God (Psalm 62:8, Philippians 4:6), but we also are to humbly seek
God's will on the matter, waiting to hear what He would speak to us
through the Holy Spirit. It isn't our words, but what God speaks, that is important.