What does Proverbs 15:28 teach about the power of our words? The Text at a Glance “ The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.” (Proverbs 15:28) The Two Tongues Contrasted • Righteous: pauses, ponders, filters, and then speaks. • Wicked: pours out speech unchecked, unfiltered, unrestrained. • Contrast reveals that speech is not neutral; it is the overflow of the heart (cf. Luke 6:45). Why Thoughtful Speech Matters • Words carry life or death (Proverbs 18:21). • Careful answers honor truth and neighbor, reflecting God’s own measured, purposeful speech (Genesis 1; Psalm 33:6). • Rash words “pierce like a sword” (Proverbs 12:18), betraying a heart untouched by wisdom. Practical Takeaways for Everyday Speech 1. Pause: a brief silence lets the heart “weigh” before the tongue wags. 2. Pray: ask the Spirit to season words with grace and truth (Colossians 4:6). 3. Probe motive: am I speaking to build up or to vent (Ephesians 4:29)? 4. Pursue clarity: honesty without harshness mirrors Christ, “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). 5. Practice restraint: sometimes the most righteous answer is no answer (Proverbs 17:27–28). Additional Biblical Witnesses on Words • James 1:19 — “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” • Psalm 141:3 — “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.” • Matthew 12:36 — “I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” Closing Reflection Our words reveal our heart and wield real power. We honor the Lord when we weigh our answers, letting wisdom bridle the tongue and channel speech toward life, truth, and blessing. |
    |