BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

Our words reveal the kind of people we truly are. We can use them to build up or tear down, to hide the truth, and to show off. We can also remain silent, hiding foolishness by simply staying quiet. According to the proverbs in today’s reading, that’s just the start. As Proverbs 18:21 puts it, “death and life” are in the power of the tongue.

Wise words accomplish good in the world with creative power. Sweet words of truth can lift a head bowed in despair, and trustworthy words can strengthen the hearts and minds of kings and servants alike. But foolish words corrupt with infectious power. Cruel words can sicken friendships, deceptive words can breed a swarm of lies, and vindictive words can unleash torrents of hostility, escalating into all sorts of violence.

Today’s proverbs also reveal that the wise tune their ears toward truth. Those who speak wise words are eager to listen to the wisdom of others. Fools, on the other hand, aren’t interested in wise counsel. They prefer the comfort of simple, agreeable thoughts or the entertainment of gossip. The many individual proverbs build a larger picture of such foolishness. It’s a way of remaining willfully blind to truth while prattling on with meaningless and, therefore, corrupting words.

The narrator seems to have Yahweh’s original creation in view, where God’s words create life and goodness. With power that’s somehow similar, human beings too can speak words that bring life and goodness. We can also do the opposite. The wisdom in these proverbs suggests that what people say will one day bear fruit, whether sweet or rotten.

Reflection Questions

• Take a moment to read James 3:1-12. What does James say about the power of words in his letter? What parallels to James’ teaching do you see in today’s reading?
• Meditate on the connections between wisdom, speech, and relationships in today’s proverbs. How do the wise use their words to invest in life-giving relationships? What do the foolish do instead? What are the results of each kind of speech?