The Tongue of the Wise Brings Healing
Proverbs 12.18 (14-19)
14 From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things
as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.
15 The way of a fool seems right to him,
but a wise man listens to advice.
16 A fool shows his annoyance at once,
but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
17 A truthful witness gives honest testimony,
but a false witness tells lies.
18 Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
There are many many scriptures which tell of the destructive nature of the tongue. We are told that it is set on fire by hell itself We have all witnessed and some of have experienced the destruction the tongue can bring. Even here in the first part of this verse we are told about the effect of reckless words.
I have watched people destroyed by a wicked tongue.
We all must seek to tame our tongue. James elaborates on this in James 3 and it is a theme of Proverbs.
The section of scripture this morning is not only about dark side of the tongue but rather the blessing it can bring if it is trained in wisdom.
Here is one of the great benefits of gaining a heart of wisdom- your tongue, your words will bring healing.
1. Wisdom in the heart and out of the mouth.
From the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. (Matthew 12:34)
You want to know what is in a person’s heart- listen to what they talk about- their words. You can hear joy, sorrow, peace, bitterness, worry, anger, love, contentment and much more. You can hear what they treasure. Where their treasure is that is where there heart will be also.
There is wisdom in:
*Knowing when to be silent. Eccl 3.7
Jesus is our example. He did not always speak. There were times when He was very silent. There were time He did not answer questions. You don’t have to either Silence enables me to listen better. If I am not thinking about what I am going to say next I can listen more effectively.
*Knowing when to speak. Eccl 3.7 Being sensitive to God’s timing. There is a time to speak.
*Knowing what to say.
*Knowing when to stop. Proverbs 10.19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
We need healing in time of sorrow. Words of Life bring comfort and strength.
We need healing in time of struggle and doubt.
We need healing when we have failed.
There are many other times we need it.
2. Encouragement is something we all need at one time or another.
The tongue of the wise know how to bring it.
Encouragement is helping a soul continue on the good path. It is spiritual affirmation. It is a blessing.
Encouragement is something that is person to person. It is soul to soul. The Holy Spirit flows through one person to another person to bring words that spur the person on.
Hebrews 10.25 “...let us encourage each other...”
To encourage means to call to one's side, comfort, console, strengthen.
Barnabas was called the Son of Encouragement - we need people like that today. Ed Drinkwater, a dear man and missionary to Malawi was like that. I remember as a young pastor he came to the church and he pointed out things in people and in situations I had not noticed. Good things What a blessing People with this gift of encouragement leave the fragrance of Christ wherever they go.
3. When someone is shot down they need the tongue of the wise to pick them up (v.18)
People can be cut by words- they can cut up a soul and pierce the heart. The tongue of the wise can bind up those wounds. Verbal abuse can make the heart sick. It can also make a person physically ill. The words of the wise can bring healing.
There have been times when people have told me they have a word from God for me. There are times when He has spoken (and is usually words of encouragement) through others. But many times it is not God speaking. Usually I can discern it. One time however I was under a great strain, lots of things going on in my life and a person sent me a letter and told me how rotten I was. When I got done reading it I was believing what they were saying. They told me they had received this from the LORD. I remember calling up a friend and telling him about it. I read the letter. He asked me, “Does that sound like Jesus?” I said, “No.” He said, “There you go.” I wondered why I could not reach that conclusion. I was thankful for the tongue of the wise who brought healing. The LORD used it to restore my soul. It gave me hope.
Kind words lift an anxious heart. Here is insight into life and the deepest part of a person’s being. So often we speak to and address their anxiety. Then wonder why they do not respond. Speak kind words to that person with an anxious heart.
I put this into practice this week and it worked Kind means to be good, be pleasing, be joyful, be beneficial, be pleasant, be favorable, be happy... I told my mom a story about Emma from the night before: She found some of Tonya's old Barbie dolls down in the basement. After we brought them up I said, Be careful with Moe. He has eaten small things like shoes before. She replied, What are you going to do with this dog, Poppa? I answered, Do you think I should get rid of him? What followed next had me laughing so hard. She said, Well I'm not telling what you to do. It is your decision. I'm not going to tell you what to do. But just remember, you're probably going to have put up with this the rest of your life. But that is your decision.
My mom started laughing and I could hear the anxiety life over the phone. Laughter is good like medicine. We all could use some of it from time to time
A kind word can be one that makes a person happy. That can lift a heavy heart. This is why when we grieve some times laughter will come and when it does a relief from the tension often follows.
4. Be Wise. Bring healing through the words of your mouth.
Training in righteousness.
The Book of Proverbs is for training in righteousness. It shows us how to live right. So many strong Christians have set an example for us. Several read a chapter a day from this Book- it takes time because each verse is a truth that deserves to be meditated upon.
Discernment. We are to desire earnestly the greater gifts and discernment is one of them. Some of us need to grow in that. We have not because we ask not. Ask the LORD to give you the ability to discern.
Look at Solomon’s prayer- I Kings 3.9 give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?
Prayer. Solomon prayed and so ought we for discernment and the ability to carry out the will of God in the place He has placed us.
Live. Proverbs is not a book of seclusion. On the contrary it is to be lived out. It is a book of life. It is a book about life. It is a book on how to live life to the full.
All of the warnings in this book, all of the directions we are given for doing what is right, it all has to do with living wisely. At the funeral for my son-in-law’s aunt earlier this week we heard the pastor talk about her life. He spoke of how she taught Sunday school for over 50 years, how 5 of her students went onto become pastors. He said that it wasn’t just Sunday School but the example of her life that influenced these young men and others.
Bringing healing through the words of our mouth begins within our own heart and life. We live for Jesus and we experience many things in living for the LORD. Our experiences become illustrations when we share the Word of God with others.
The tongue of the wise bring healing.
*Health. Evidence is showing up in studies today that Christians live healthier. Part of this is because they are hearing words of wisdom which bring peace to the heart and mind. I do not believe in the Gospel of Health and Wealth but I do believe in benefits that come from having Jesus in our lives and hearing His Word- Wonderful Words of Life.
Healing and Cure is included in the idea of this verse. We have talked about that. I believe there are many things that can only be cured by the words of the wise. God has used His prophets and preachers to bring these words to people.
Profit is included in this idea of healing. The tongue of the wise bring profit or benefit to those who hear. We can see this easily. What the tongue of the wise is is either a direct quotation from God’s Word or something expounded from it or some lesson uncovered in it.
Healing also means soundness of mind. We have spoken about this as well in reference to the tongue of the wise bringing release from anxiety but it is more than that. There is a general overall soundness of mind that comes when we take these words to heart and live by them. There is a peace form the LORD that comes to the heart when the words that come from the tongue of the wise are heeded and held by people.
I have watched people destroyed by a wicked tongue.
We all must seek to tame our tongue. James elaborates on this in James 3 and it is a theme of Proverbs.
The section of scripture this morning is not only about dark side of the tongue but rather the blessing it can bring if it is trained in wisdom.
Here is one of the great benefits of gaining a heart of wisdom- your tongue, your words will bring healing.
*health, healing, cure, profit, soundness of mind*
1. Wisdom in the heart and out of the mouth.
From the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. (Matthew 12:34)
You want to know what is in a person’s heart- listen to what they talk about- their words. You can hear joy, sorrow, peace, bitterness, worry, anger, love, contentment and much more. You can hear what they treasure. Where their treasure is that is where there heart will be also.
There is wisdom in:
*Knowing when to be silent. Eccl 3.7
Jesus is our example. He did not always speak. There were times when He was very silent. There were time He did not answer questions. You don’t have to either Silence enables me to listen better. If I am not thinking about what I am going to say next I can listen more effectively.
*Knowing when to speak. Eccl 3.7 Being sensitive to God’s timing. There is a time to speak.
*Knowing what to say.
*Knowing when to stop. Proverbs 10.19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
We need healing in time of sorrow. Words of Life bring comfort and strength.
We need healing in time of struggle and doubt.
We need healing when we have failed.
There are many other times we need it.
2. Encouragement is something we all need at one time or another.
The tongue of the wise know how to bring it.
Encouragement is helping a soul continue on the good path. It is spiritual affirmation. It is a blessing.
Encouragement is something that is person to person. It is soul to soul. The Holy Spirit flows through one person to another person to bring words that spur the person on.
Hebrews 10.25 “...let us encourage each other...”
To encourage means to call to one's side, comfort, console, strengthen.
Barnabas was called the Son of Encouragement - we need people like that today. Ed Drinkwater, a dear man and missionary to Malawi was like that. I remember as a young pastor he came to the church and he pointed out things in people and in situations I had not noticed. Good things What a blessing People with this gift of encouragement leave the fragrance of Christ wherever they go.
3. When someone is shot down they need the tongue of the wise to pick them up (v.18)
People can be cut by words- they can cut up a soul and pierce the heart. The tongue of the wise can bind up those wounds. Verbal abuse can make the heart sick. It can also make a person physically ill. The words of the wise can bring healing.
There have been times when people have told me they have a word from God for me. There are times when He has spoken (and is usually words of encouragement) through others. But many times it is not God speaking. Usually I can discern it. One time however I was under a great strain, lots of things going on in my life and a person sent me a letter and told me how rotten I was. When I got done reading it I was believing what they were saying. They told me they had received this from the LORD. I remember calling up a friend and telling him about it. I read the letter. He asked me, “Does that sound like Jesus?” I said, “No.” He said, “There you go.” I wondered why I could not reach that conclusion. I was thankful for the tongue of the wise who brought healing. The LORD used it to restore my soul. It gave me hope.
Kind words lift an anxious heart. Here is insight into life and the deepest part of a person’s being. So often we speak to and address their anxiety. Then wonder why they do not respond. Speak kind words to that person with an anxious heart.
I put this into practice this week and it worked Kind means to be good, be pleasing, be joyful, be beneficial, be pleasant, be favorable, be happy... I told my mom a story about Emma from the night before: She found some of Tonya's old Barbie dolls down in the basement. After we brought them up I said, Be careful with Moe. He has eaten small things like shoes before. She replied, What are you going to do with this dog, Poppa? I answered, Do you think I should get rid of him? What followed next had me laughing so hard. She said, Well I'm not telling what you to do. It is your decision. I'm not going to tell you what to do. But just remember, you're probably going to have put up with this the rest of your life. But that is your decision.
My mom started laughing and I could hear the anxiety life over the phone. Laughter is good like medicine. We all could use some of it from time to time
A kind word can be one that makes a person happy. That can lift a heavy heart. This is why when we grieve some times laughter will come and when it does a relief from the tension often follows.
4. Be Wise. Bring healing through the words of your mouth.
Training in righteousness.
The Book of Proverbs is for training in righteousness. It shows us how to live right. So many strong Christians have set an example for us. Several read a chapter a day from this Book- it takes time because each verse is a truth that deserves to be meditated upon.
Discernment. We are to desire earnestly the greater gifts and discernment is one of them. Some of us need to grow in that. We have not because we ask not. Ask the LORD to give you the ability to discern.
Look at Solomon’s prayer- I Kings 3.9 give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?
Prayer. Solomon prayed and so ought we for discernment and the ability to carry out the will of God in the place He has placed us.
Live. Proverbs is not a book of seclusion. On the contrary it is to be lived out. It is a book of life. It is a book about life. It is a book on how to live life to the full.
All of the warnings in this book, all of the directions we are given for doing what is right, it all has to do with living wisely. At the funeral for my son-in-law’s aunt earlier this week we heard the pastor talk about her life. He spoke of how she taught Sunday school for over 50 years, how 5 of her students went onto become pastors. He said that it wasn’t just Sunday School but the example of her life that influenced these young men and others.
Bringing healing through the words of our mouth begins within our own heart and life. We live for Jesus and we experience many things in living for the LORD. Our experiences become illustrations when we share the Word of God with others.
The tongue of the wise bring healing.
*Health. Evidence is showing up in studies today that Christians live healthier. Part of this is because they are hearing words of wisdom which bring peace to the heart and mind. I do not believe in the Gospel of Health and Wealth but I do believe in benefits that come from having Jesus in our lives and hearing His Word- Wonderful Words of Life.
Healing and Cure is included in the idea of this verse. We have talked about that. I believe there are many things that can only be cured by the words of the wise. God has used His prophets and preachers to bring these words to people.
Profit is included in this idea of healing. The tongue of the wise bring profit or benefit to those who hear. We can see this easily. What the tongue of the wise is is either a direct quotation from God’s Word or something expounded from it or some lesson uncovered in it.
Healing also means soundness of mind. We have spoken about this as well in reference to the tongue of the wise bringing release from anxiety but it is more than that. There is a general overall soundness of mind that comes when we take these words to heart and live by them. There is a peace form the LORD that comes to the heart when the words that come from the tongue of the wise are heeded and held by people.
How the words of wisdom are needed today So many need healing. There are a lot of broken hearted people out there. The only true cure for a broken heart is the LORD Jesus Christ. So often He comes to a heart in the words of the wise. Jesus is the personification of wisdom. We have seen how His teachings are reflective of the Proverbs.
Oh to be Like Jesus- He spoke the words that cheered and blessed. He is full of compassion and grace and love. His words are the Wonderful Words of Life He is our example in everything good and holy. Oh to be Like Thee!
May the words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart be acceptable in the sight of God Who is our Strength and Redeemer.
The LORD’s Day
January 20, 2008
We Worship In Singing
We Worship In Prayer
We Worship In Hearing the Word of God
The Tongue of the Wise Brings Healing
Proverbs 12.18
*Tithes and Offerings can be placed in the box at the rear of the sanctuary*
Please join us for bagels and coffee downstairs if you are visiting today.
This Week
Bible Reading Proverbs 13
Monday Men’s Prayer Meeting 6:30am in the church basement
Wednesday Bible Study 7:30pm at the parsonage 1312 Pine Acres Blvd.
Thursday Bible Study 10:30am at the church
Next Lord’s Day
Morning Prayer- 10am in the church basement
Morning Worship- 10:30am(Sunday School for Children)
Spanish Service- 4pm
Prayer -6pm at the Parsonage
In Your Prayers For All of God’s People
Remember the men serving in the armed forces: Bradley, Julia Bujold’s grandson with Special Forces in Afghanistan, home on leave right now, Ken Brown, Pastor’s friend’s son finished his third tour of Iraq- His parents thank us for praying for him. Billy Knapp, Jr. in Iraq with the Marines (neighbor of the church and Pastor- Billy’s sister graduated from Good Shepherd). Stateside now being redeployed in April... Matthew Klaus, brother of Good Shepherd parent in Iraq as a firefighter for Haliburton. Pastor’s nephews’ and niece’s cousin Kim’s husband, Jay, in Iraq. Pray for them and the others away from their families. Praise God for keeping David Louis, Jake Morgan, Ken Brown and Tom Hindelang, Billy Knapp Jr. safe during their times in Iraq. Pray for peace... Kathy, Ziggy and Margot’s daughter-in-law, under the doctor’s care for fibromyalgia. Thank God for answers to prayer for her... Remember Jean Louis on dialysis. Grace Martin, Edie Raevis’ daughter, recovering from surgery on her back and uindergoing Physical Therapy. Edie’s daughter’s mother-in-law, Millie Espisito remains in serious condition. Reginald Mooney, friend of Terri and John Garry, with a tumor in his kidney. Please remember Pastor’s friend Kim Richardson’s daughter, Kelly recovering from a mastectomy. Please remember this whole family in prayer..she has completed chemo therapy for now and is undergoing another round of radiation. .... Pastor’s Dad, Larry Mancini, Sr. waiting to be released from the hospital. He is being treated for a blood clot. There is a blog for him: www.papa2all.blogspot.com . Joey Reda (Charlie and Diane Davison’s Grandson) experiencing some heart arrhythmia. Prudy’s Mom, Rose Ragusa, undergoing treatment- doing well. Jack Simon, a friend of Pastor’s, undergoing treatment for a lung problem.... Leah May facing surgery shortly.... Please pray for healing.. Pastor and Lucy’s Aunt Vivian has been released from the hospital and is home and doing better... Janine Van Cott recovering from back surgery. Tania MacDonald’s Mom, Eloise Naves, went to be with the LORD a few days before Christmas. Please remember her and her family in prayer. Continue to pray for those in our church family who lost loved ones this past year: Rianna, Alice, Anka, Katharina, Eloise’s family, the Muccis... Ilona awaiting results from an MRI ... Tonya and James Wyss in the loss of James’ aunt... She went to be with the LORD this week... As we face a new year in very uncertain times let’s give thanks that our LORD leads us and is going before us.
Romans 8.31 If God is for us, who can be against us?
Notes on Our Time in God’s Word This Morning...
The Tongue of the Wise Bring Healing
Pastor’s messages are now available online:
http://thesundaymorningmessage.blogspot.com/
Church e-mail: bayshorenaz@rock.com
Oh to be Like Jesus- He spoke the words that cheered and blessed. He is full of compassion and grace and love. His words are the Wonderful Words of Life He is our example in everything good and holy. Oh to be Like Thee!
May the words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart be acceptable in the sight of God Who is our Strength and Redeemer.
The LORD’s Day
January 20, 2008
We Worship In Singing
We Worship In Prayer
We Worship In Hearing the Word of God
The Tongue of the Wise Brings Healing
Proverbs 12.18
*Tithes and Offerings can be placed in the box at the rear of the sanctuary*
Please join us for bagels and coffee downstairs if you are visiting today.
This Week
Bible Reading Proverbs 13
Monday Men’s Prayer Meeting 6:30am in the church basement
Wednesday Bible Study 7:30pm at the parsonage 1312 Pine Acres Blvd.
Thursday Bible Study 10:30am at the church
Next Lord’s Day
Morning Prayer- 10am in the church basement
Morning Worship- 10:30am(Sunday School for Children)
Spanish Service- 4pm
Prayer -6pm at the Parsonage
In Your Prayers For All of God’s People
Remember the men serving in the armed forces: Bradley, Julia Bujold’s grandson with Special Forces in Afghanistan, home on leave right now, Ken Brown, Pastor’s friend’s son finished his third tour of Iraq- His parents thank us for praying for him. Billy Knapp, Jr. in Iraq with the Marines (neighbor of the church and Pastor- Billy’s sister graduated from Good Shepherd). Stateside now being redeployed in April... Matthew Klaus, brother of Good Shepherd parent in Iraq as a firefighter for Haliburton. Pastor’s nephews’ and niece’s cousin Kim’s husband, Jay, in Iraq. Pray for them and the others away from their families. Praise God for keeping David Louis, Jake Morgan, Ken Brown and Tom Hindelang, Billy Knapp Jr. safe during their times in Iraq. Pray for peace... Kathy, Ziggy and Margot’s daughter-in-law, under the doctor’s care for fibromyalgia. Thank God for answers to prayer for her... Remember Jean Louis on dialysis. Grace Martin, Edie Raevis’ daughter, recovering from surgery on her back and uindergoing Physical Therapy. Edie’s daughter’s mother-in-law, Millie Espisito remains in serious condition. Reginald Mooney, friend of Terri and John Garry, with a tumor in his kidney. Please remember Pastor’s friend Kim Richardson’s daughter, Kelly recovering from a mastectomy. Please remember this whole family in prayer..she has completed chemo therapy for now and is undergoing another round of radiation. .... Pastor’s Dad, Larry Mancini, Sr. waiting to be released from the hospital. He is being treated for a blood clot. There is a blog for him: www.papa2all.blogspot.com . Joey Reda (Charlie and Diane Davison’s Grandson) experiencing some heart arrhythmia. Prudy’s Mom, Rose Ragusa, undergoing treatment- doing well. Jack Simon, a friend of Pastor’s, undergoing treatment for a lung problem.... Leah May facing surgery shortly.... Please pray for healing.. Pastor and Lucy’s Aunt Vivian has been released from the hospital and is home and doing better... Janine Van Cott recovering from back surgery. Tania MacDonald’s Mom, Eloise Naves, went to be with the LORD a few days before Christmas. Please remember her and her family in prayer. Continue to pray for those in our church family who lost loved ones this past year: Rianna, Alice, Anka, Katharina, Eloise’s family, the Muccis... Ilona awaiting results from an MRI ... Tonya and James Wyss in the loss of James’ aunt... She went to be with the LORD this week... As we face a new year in very uncertain times let’s give thanks that our LORD leads us and is going before us.
Romans 8.31 If God is for us, who can be against us?
Notes on Our Time in God’s Word This Morning...
The Tongue of the Wise Bring Healing
Proverbs 12.18
Pastor’s messages are now available online:
http://thesundaymorningmessage.blogspot.com/
Church e-mail: bayshorenaz@rock.com
Church Phone: 631-969-1730
1314 Pine Acres Boulevard, Bay Shore, Long Island, NY 11706-5436
1314 Pine Acres Boulevard, Bay Shore, Long Island, NY 11706-5436
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