Wise Words on Speech & Counsel
The purpose of Proverbs is to teach
people how to apply wisdom to daily
life and to provide moral instruction.
One good way to learn a wise action
is to contrast it with a foolish one.
Most of the proverbs today contrast
the path of folly with path of faith.
The topics are varied and intensely
practical: how to use your mouth
and your money; how to be a good
neighbour; how to select friends;
how to conduct business; how to
resolve conflicts. They teach us
how to live from God’s perspective.
Dear Lord, thanks for Proverbs
teaching wisdom for daily living.
Help us have Right Attitude on the
proper and effective use of Words.
Help us to Speak Word of Life.
Help us to Speak Respectfully.
Help us to be Open to Listen.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Lord, we will Speak Word of Life:
The mouth of the righteous
is a well of life; but violence
covers the mouth of the wicked.
Hatred stirs up strife, but love
covers all sins (Prov 10:11-12).
(And) the lips of the righteous
nourish many (Prov 10:21),
Lord, fill my heart with Your Word
so that it overflows from my mouth.
Make my words speak healing.
Edit out any hurtful or damaging
words, and let my remaining words
be only a fountain of life. Lord,
Fill my mouth with Your words,
with meaning and hope and peace.
Inspire me to pronounce blessings
on those around me. Change the
atmosphere for the better and let
my word lead people to You. Amen.
Lord, we will Speak Respectfully:
It’s foolish to belittle one’s neighbor;
a sensible person keeps quiet.
A gossip goes around telling secrets
but those who are trustworthy can
keep a confidence (Prov 11:12-13).
Lord, I have at times belittled others,
and shared things that were not
mine to tell even in the private.
Your Word named these things
as sin and I ask for divine help
to forsake this sin. Empower me
Lord to choose to bless rather
than belittle and to keep quiet
rather than to share secrets. Amen.
Lord, we will be Open to Listen:
A wise child accepts a parent’s
discipline; a young mocker
refuses to listen (Prov 13:1).
Lord, thank you for those who
share their insights with me.
Lord, thank You for people who
will be honest with me and even
correct me when I need them.
Help me to be receptive rather
than defensive so that I can grow
in maturity and in character.
Thank You for those who share
their insights with me. Help me
to discern what is helpful, to
examine instruction in the light
of your Word and to grow. Amen.