Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits. — Proverbs 18:21

Reflection:

In a previous devotional, I discussed the theme of public witness in 1 Peter, focusing on Peter’s exhortation to keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable (2:12). In today’s devotional, I want to elaborate on one particular aspect of this: our speech.

This topic is on my mind because the public debate about societal responses to the pandemic is becoming increasingly hostile and inflammatory. Everyone seems to have an opinion to broadcast, as a quick glance at the news or social media will tell you. I, too, have my opinions on the subject, and tend to want to express them. Yet as I think back over what I have said to others on the subject (even on the very day that I write this), I am struck by how self-serving my urge to comment is. And this line of thought led me into the book of Proverbs:

The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little worth (Proverbs 10:20).

One key aspect of speech in Proverbs is that it reveals the character of the speaker; here the parallel set up between tongue and heart indicates the close relationship between the two. You could almost rewrite it as something like “The heart of the righteous is of great worth; the tongue of the wicked is dross.”

It almost goes without saying that we should speak truth and not falsehood:

Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you (Proverbs 4:24).

However, speaking truth doesn’t mean that we should say anything and everything that is true; the righteous trains himself to think before he speaks:

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things (Proverbs 15:28).

He thinks not just about what he will say, but whether he ought to be saying it in the first place:

A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
but a wise man quietly holds it back (Proverbs 29:11).

Because, as we are frequently warned, there is much danger in many words:

When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but whoever restrains his lips is prudent (Proverbs 10:19).

Part of considering what should or should not be said involves considering other people — whether what we say is suitable and considerate toward their situation:

Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning
will be counted as cursing (Proverbs 27:14).

This involves actually knowing their situation and perspective:

If one gives an answer before he hears,
it is his folly and shame (Proverbs 18:13).

And considering whether what we say is useful and constructive:

Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body (Proverbs 16:24).

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18).

In addition to carefully evaluating what should or should not be said, we also are to consider how we say it:

A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1).

I think far too often we as Christians only consider whether what we say is likely to be truthful. We justify sharing our unasked-for opinions, no matter the consequences, by the idea that we are “speaking the truth.” But the book of Proverbs challenges us to be more considerate and selective in our speech. The world doesn’t need more commentators on the COVID-19 pandemic; what the world does need is for the people of God to show the love of Christ through their respect, humility, generosity, and graciousness of speech and action.

Response:

I would like to challenge us all to consider the following questions (posed by one of my professors in a class on Proverbs) about our speech each time we post on social media, comment on Zoom meetings, or vent our frustrations to our family and friends about the pandemic:

1. Is it true?
2. Is it respectful?
3. Is it useful to others?
4. Is it necessary?
5. Why do I want to say it?
6. Do I have a right to say it?