Lip Service

(Proverbs 10:32 KJV)  The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

Becoming a Christian brings changes in how we relate to our world.  The pace and order of that change varies from person to person.  We all come to Jesus as we are but do not stay that way.  One of the changes involves this word “righteous” (6662).  It is moral component of our life that goes deeper than any specific action.  Some people change immediately in dramatic ways.  Others go through a steady process of reform.  All depart from a life of wickedness and sin.  ‘

This verse focuses on our mouths.  It involves vocabulary, tone of voice, timing and any other aspect of oral communication.  We change when we come to Jesus.  I was raised in an environment where “darn” was as bad as “damn”.  Others don’t have that ingrained in them but eventually they begin to want the words of David to be our testimony,

(Psalms 19:14 KJV)  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

So?  Does your mouth reflect Jesus?  Change what you can and pray that He would teach you a new way of speaking.

Sweet Talk

(Proverbs 16:24 KJV)  Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Usually “honeycomb” (1706/6688) is presented in a positive light.  This is actually a compound word which literally means “comb of the honey”.  Only one other place has this combination.

(Psalms 19:10 KJV)  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Here it talks about “words” (561); in Psalms, the Law.

Our speech is to be pleasant and true.  We are to be that rock in the middle of the stream where a traveler can put their foot and know that it will not turn under them.  We are to be that electrical appliance that is properly grounded so a touch will not kill.  We are the living representatives of Jesus.

So?  I sometimes shudder to think that people would hear some of the things I say in moments of weakness.  We are not like the animals.  We have mouths that can choose truth or falsehood.  We can heal or destroy.  I know which I want.