Careless Words Are Harmful
June 26, 2022
Commentary
Who is it that hasn’t spoken something thoughtlessly and later found out that his careless words were harmful? Reckless words which may have not been intended to hurt can be very hurtful and piercing like a sword (vv. 17-18). But words of kindness spoken by a wise person can do just the opposite as they heal instead of hurt. Truth is always timely (v. 19). Deceit characterizes the wicked but joy comes to people who work for the peace of others (v. 20). While the righteous experience joy and protection the wicked experience trouble. A fool blurts out his foolishness while a prudent man is not anxious to demonstrate his knowledge (v. 21).
The Lord hates lying because it so directly opposes His standard of truth (v. 22). At the same time truthfulness is commended because it promotes justice.
The righteous person is careful whom he chooses as a friend while the wicked are not concerned about who becomes their friend. A diligent person is one who is in charge of whatever his situation may be while laziness may lead a person into slavery. A lazy person does not value what he owns.
Application
I need to ask the different members of my family how well they respond to insults. Do they wear their feelings on their sleeve so to speak? Perhaps, I could share from my experience how someone has responded in a wrong way and how they should have responded in the light of this passage.
Proverbs 12:17– 22 (NET)
17 The faithful witness tells what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.
18 Speaking recklessly is like the thrusts of a sword, but the words of the wise bring healing.
19 The one who tells the truth will endure forever, but the one who lies will last only for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
21 No harm will be directed at the righteous, but the wicked are filled with calamity.
22 The Lord abhors a person who lies, but those who deal truthfully are his delight.
Illustration: A Bus Driver And a Minister Met St Peter
A bus driver and a minister were standing in line to get into heaven. The bus driver approached the gate and St. Peter said, “Welcome, I understand you were a bus driver. Since I’m in charge of housing, I believe I have found the perfect place for you. See that mansion over the hilltop? It’s yours. The minister heard all this and began to stand a little taller. He said to himself, “If a bus driver got a place like that, just think what I’ll get.” The minister approached the gate and St. Peter said, “Welcome, I understand you were a minister. See that shack in the valley?” St. Peter had hardly gotten the words out of his mouth when the irate minister said, “I was a minister, I preached the gospel, I helped teach people about God. Why does that bus driver get a mansion, and I get a shack?” Sadly St. Peter responded, “Well, it seems when you preached, people slept. When the bus driver drove, people prayed.” (James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988 p. 146).