Focus: Proverbs 12:18 - KJV
18. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
2 Samuel 16:5-12
When we speak, we need to be careful about presentation. There are words said harshly which can be better presented for the same effect. Particularly when it comes to winning souls. There are piercing words that can make the recipient faint in heart and want to commit suicide; whereas the same words can be presented in a manner that will make the recipient, though faint in heart but seek forgiveness. The latter is to be preferred in our presentation. Shimei was a relative of king Saul. When David was afflicted and was running away from the throne, Shimei met him and said absurd things at him cursing him. Such words were like the piercing swords for, although David had been anointed king in the life of Saul, he refused to hurt Saul in anyway until the same met his own death. For Shimei to then turn around to make loud allegations against David about usurpation of the throne of Saul became tough to swallow. Yet David did not touch Shimei because rather than retaliate, he spoke health in wisdom. Had he allowed Shimei to be killed for his wrong speech that day, he would have perhaps “angered God” some more for, to him, what he was going through was as a result of his sin. Shimei paid for his reckless words when Solomon became king.
Don’t speak too tersely to those subordinates! Some of them have their issues which they had not discussed that if you heard it, you will be sorry for them. Don’t assume because of your exalted position you can talk down on people or anyone at all. Joseph the slave can later become Joseph the Prime Minister. When that happens, if Joseph be vengeful, where would you hide? The Lord is saying to us today that we emulate Christ in our doings. A woman was caught in adultery; by law, she was to be stoned to death; she was already being assailed; but when she got to Christ, the same treated her gently and told her to go and sin no more. She became a follower and never returned to adulterous ways. Gain lives with your words and not waste them. Healthy talk will achieve that for you.
SOLUTION: Be gentle in speech and use of words. Don’t be high handed in dealing with subordinates or people you are more privileged than. If you must speak, do it with love.
Father in heaven, please season the words of every user of this Guide with salt from now on in Jesus’ name. Let our words save and not destroy lives Oh Lord, in Jesus’ name. Please put a guard upon our mouths to prevent us from saying things you do not approve from now on in Jesus’ name. We thank you Lord for your goodness. In Jesus mighty name.