mydailythought

Living Wisely: the way we speak

bible readings

These pasages suggest that only speaking a little is a good thing. Why?

Bible Readings

So perhaps it is not so much how much we speak but what we say when we speak

Proverbs 18:4

It is best to work on keeping confidences
Disagree without being disagreeable
Encourage

Actions can effect how we feel also.
Being critical rather than being an active aid does not do as much good as supporting and confirming someone.

should we ignore others problems or failings _?

MOST IMPORTANTLY
why is the way we speak an indicator of our faith?
passage from James

In proverbs 5 we have much fewer verses on wisdom before we enter into the warning section which has been with all the proverbs so far at the end of each.

1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom,
listen well to my words of insight,
2 that you may maintain discretion
and your lips may preserve knowledge

In proverbs 4 we seem to have wisdom as an organic being. 'she will watch over you'.

5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or swerve from them.

6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.

7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, [a] get understanding.

8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.

9 She will set a garland of grace on your head
and present you with a crown of splendor.

Proverbs 3 begins to give what we might call a list which if held to would enable one to begin to be wise in the eyes of God. But this begins to distinguish between wisdom of man and God. For man surely wealth and health are the essentials of life. Wisdom is only sought when needing specific advise or guidance.

1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight. [a]

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.

In proverbs 3 we see three words used wisdom, understanding and knowledge. I wonder if there is meaning in this passage which helps to explain wisdom a little better.

19bBy wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;

20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.

Proverbs 2 explores wisdom further:

1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,

3 and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,

4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,

5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.

6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

7 He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.

9 Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.

10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

11 Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.

12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
from men whose words are perverse,

What is wisdom?
Is it sound advise? Living wisely? Knowing God?
It seems to me that someone can be able to give good advise but not be 'wise'. They may know God and still act very unwisely. someone may be very well off and have a life that is comfortable and yet they are not wise. so what really is wisdom.
Proverbs 1 is a good starting point to think through what is really meant by wisdom.

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for attaining wisdom and discipline;
for understanding words of insight;

3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
doing what is right and just and fair;

4 for giving prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young-

5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance-

6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.

7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools [a] despise wisdom and discipline.

The Dictionary.com writes ' wisdom is the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.'

Wisdom is not just knowing therefore it is coupled with acting.