The Book of Proverbs - Part 13

The Book of Proverbs

Part 13

Honest/Pure Heart

“Speaking the Truth in Love” 

“Speaking the truth can be a frightening thing. But Jesus modeled this practice. He spoke the Hard/Healing/Beautiful truth. We are called to follow his example in gentleness and kindness.”

-Video from opening of service

The key is following HIS example and not the example that we see in everyday life.

Words Are Powerful

"The tongue has the power of life [Helpful] and death” [Harmful] 

-Proverbs 18:21

“The lips of the righteous nourish many…”

[Helpful & Positive]

- Proverbs 10:21

“One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.”

-Proverbs 22:11

[Helpful & Positive]

“The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,

[Asks the Q: What is the best way to answer particular questions? What is HELPFUL?] 

but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.”

[Satan – Liar – Hurtful]

-Proverbs 15:28

Satan is a Liar.

Jesus is “The Word”.

Satan tries to destroy “The Word” as well as all words.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [Jesus is God] He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it [Jesus wins on the cross]… the devil,… was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. “When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

-John 1:1-5; 8:44

Lies… Poor usage of words… Poor communication.

Q: How has Satan damaged your relationships?

"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” 

-James 1:19,20

Some Helpful Thoughts on Speaking

What, When, Where, Why, How, Who

Tigger is known for his phrase TTFN  

“Ta Ta For Now”

Is it…   

True – Fair - Necessary

Before you say anything ask yourself…

Is it…

True? Fair? Necessary?

If not, DON’T!

True

Truth is rooted in fact not opinion.

Opinions change.

Facts typically do not.

Fair

When we are not balanced then we usually are not fair!

Context is very important in determining fairness.

Q: Is Pastor Dave the smartest person in the room?

Is it true? 

A: It depends on how we define smart.

I.Q. Intelligence quotient

E.Q. Emotional Intelligence

Wisdom

A: It depends on what room!

A: It depends on what we are measuring!

A: It depends on who is in the room!

Necessary

Is it helpful or harmful?

What is the motive? 

“Speaking the TRUTH in LOVE”

-Ephesians 4:15

Note: Gossip can fall under any of these categories below.

See Chart/Grid below…

1) This is the BEST way to speak:

You do speak the truth and you do speak it in love.

Note: Everything that Jesus said falls into this category.

2) This is the WORST way to speak:

You do not speak in truth and do not speak it in love.

Mean people

(We are all tempted to be mean)

Wicked people

Satan

3) You do speak the truth, but you do not speak it in love.

A lot of Christian gossip falls under this category.

Often this is excused in the context of “Prayer”.

4) You do not speak the truth, but you do speak it in love.

(Note: This could be knowingly, or unknowingly) 

Most of speech is spoken either in truth but not in love OR not in truth but in love.

3/4 of all talk falls into the following categories:

Truth but not spoken in love

Not true but spoken in love

Not true and not spoken in love

When you do speak, speak with authenticity and authority.

Jesus, “taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” [Authority of the truth]

 -Matthew 7:29

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

-John 14:6

“So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”

-Matthew 10:26-28

Pray for God’s will in speaking the truth  

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens… a time to be born and a time to die… to plant… to uproot… a time to be silent and a time to speak…”

-Ecclesiastes 3:1-7