The Right Word
If there’s anything you want to become really good at, it’s speaking the right word. And to speak the right word, obviously, you have to do some thinking about what the right word is.
I’ll give you just a couple ideas.
The right word is wise. That’s one. “The mouth of the righteous,” Proverbs 10:31 “brings forth wisdom.”
And what’s that mean? People who are good at speaking are able to take the truth that is in the Bible and help you understand how to apply it to your life. In other words, when you are around them for a while you find there’s substance to what they are saying. There words are not just constantly air. They are talking truth, and they are talking truth, and helping you apply it to your situation, and if you want your words to make an impact, you need to learn to do that.
Two, the right word is humble. Proverbs 11:2. “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”
And you have to ask yourself, what motivates what I am saying? Am I motivated to make myself look big, smart, important, because if I am I probably am not going to be speaking much wisdom. Speech that helps is coming from someone whose biggest goal is to exalt God and help others.
It doesn’t boast about itself. Proverbs 27:2. “Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth, a stranger and not your own lips.”
Three, the right word is maybe no word.
A wise person knows when not to say something. Proverbs 11:12. “Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.” Solomon’s assuming there are times when people do things that are stupid, and a foolish person, takes advantage of that moment, and makes sure everybody knows what that person did, where the wise person, is not looking to embarrass others so he stays silent if he can.
He knows when to leave an argument, as well. Proverbs 17:14. “The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.” We always tell our children any fool will quarrel. But it takes a wise man to know when not to say anything so that you don’t get into unnecessary fights.
And obviously, that can be hard, especially when you feel like someone is insulting you but again Proverbs says chapter 16, verse 16. “The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.”
If you really believe speech is as powerful as God says it is, act like it.
Guard your mouth. Evaluate your speech.
Put off the wrong kind of speech and learn to speak the right word at the right time for the right reason!