Put away your sword…
“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Does anyone else remember a time when there was an unspoken, universal expectation of basic civility in everyday human interaction? It was especially true for civil servants and government leaders and representatives, or those aspiring to be. But even us lowly, common citizens were expected to behave in a generally civil manner toward one another—if not in private, at least in public settings. Those who didn’t were usually frowned upon by the majority. So, what happened to us?
It seems as though that expectation of decency and civil discourse has become not-so-common in the past several years. People seem to have lost their “filters,” so to speak. You see people shouting and using foul language at the poor fast-food worker when their order is taking longer than usual, or something was missed (that is if they’re not actually physically assaulting them for said violations!). Politicians resort to name-calling, back-biting, and other abusive vitriol as an everyday occurrence now. And so much of it happens in the realm of social media, where you don’t actually have to face the person you are disparaging. People seem to think that their ideas and opinions need to be heard at all costs, no matter how it may affect another person. And watch out if you don’t agree with them!
When reading the above proverb recently, I thought to myself, “This is where we’re at today; everyone has their swords drawn, and they are carelessly flailing them about, injuring whoever gets in the way. To our hurt, civil discourse is a lost art and a lost common value. The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom regarding this topic and how our words can be used to destroy or to build up. Here are some quick examples from just a few chapters (there are plenty more):
10:11 – The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
10:19 – When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
11:9a – With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor…
13:3 – Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
15:1 – A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
15:26 – The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure.
15:28 – The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
16:21 – The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
16:23-24 – The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
Contrast that with the one who is careless with his or her words:
16:27-28 – A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
James tells us that how we use our words can be an indication of our relationship with God:
“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.”
He also spends over half of chapter 3 discussing the dangerous power of the tongue, the words we use to interact with others.
“And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.”
David also understood the power of words and the way they can be used to hurt others.
Psalm 57:4 – My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts – the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
Christian, do not get pulled into the rip current of our present culture. It is so tempting to engage in the verbal sword fight, especially if we or our values are being attacked. But we are called to be different. We are called to be peacemakers, healers, and hope-givers. Not that we don’t stand for and speak the truth, but we speak it with patience and grace and extreme humility. Our words should be used to glorify God, draw others to Him, and encourage and build each other up. Whether it’s in a face-to-face conversation or in a social media post, or in an email to someone, the words we use should represent Jesus well and demonstrate that we are indeed in a very real and direct relationship with Him.
Let us pray along with David:
“I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.”
