What can we learn about communication from "your lips are like a scarlet ribbon"? The Picture Painted in Song of Songs 4:3 “Your lips are like a scarlet thread; your mouth is lovely.” • The verse describes actual, physical lips—vivid and colored, attractive and well-defined. • In Scripture, “scarlet” often draws attention (Joshua 2:18; Matthew 27:28); here it highlights lips that naturally stand out and invite response. • By affirming the literal beauty of the bride’s lips, the text shows that God cares about real, tangible details—and that our words, formed by those lips, likewise matter in real, tangible ways. Color and Clarity: Lessons on Speech • Scarlet is unmistakable; so should our words be—clear, truthful, impossible to confuse. – Proverbs 12:17: “He who speaks the truth declares what is right.” • A “ribbon” (or “thread”) is smooth and unbroken; communication gains power when it is consistent rather than frayed or fragmented. – James 5:12: “Let your ‘Yes’ be yes and your ‘No,’ no.” Purity and Purpose: The Substance Behind the Words • Scarlet in Isaiah 1:18 pictures sin that needs cleansing. After redemption, scarlet reminds us of purity bought at a price. • Our redeemed lips must now serve godly aims: – Ephesians 4:29: “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up…” – Colossians 4:6: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.” Gentleness and Beauty: The Tone of Our Talk • The bridegroom delights in the bride’s lips; gentle, pleasant speech delights listeners. – Proverbs 15:1: “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” – Proverbs 25:11: “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” • Beauty does not negate strength. A scarlet ribbon can bind; our words can uphold truth firmly yet attractively (Titus 2:7–8). Biblical Echoes: Supporting Passages • Psalm 141:3: “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.” • James 1:19: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” • James 3:5 reminds that the tongue, though small, directs great outcomes—just as a thin ribbon draws the eye. Practical Takeaways for Today • Speak vividly but simply—words people can grasp at once. • Let every statement align with redeemed character; no double meanings, no hidden barbs. • Favor a gentle tone that invites rather than intimidates. • Keep communication unbroken: follow through, clarify, and correct promptly. • Guard the mouth continually through conscious dependence on the Lord. |
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