Proverbs 12:18-25
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
but those who plan peace have joy.
21 No ill befalls the righteous,
but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23 A prudent man conceals knowledge,
but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,
but a good word makes him glad.
anyways, I'm as distractable as a butterfly this morning, so I'd best focus on the task at hand.
As I read further I came to this verse: (17) Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.. I read that and thought...well of course! How much more obvious can something be, and wondered why something so obvious had to be written down, but then I realized that what's obvious to me might not be obvious to someone else. And God does know best. :) and the next verses continue this theme, pointing out what should be obvious, and reminding us to watch our words.
18 here is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
but those who plan peace have joy.
21 No ill befalls the righteous,
but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.
Consider verse 18 where the person who speaks rashly can utter words as sharp as sword thrusts. I don't know if you, my readers, have ever been bullied, but words can be awful things. The things that people can to another can cut like a knife. Sometimes people are deliberate about doing such damage, but often times the worst damage are those quick, unthinking words. This is indeed a good reminder to watch my words, to think before talking too quickly.
Verse 25 seems rather unconnected in this passage Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Just think about this verse for a moment. I'm currently living under a stress I've been unable to identify. It doesn't stop me from living, but it is causing me to grind my teeth at night and to not feel rested in the morning. This makes me have to work harder at getting things done, harder to focus on the task at hand, and more aware of my need to watch what I am saying to those around me (we call it being kind to each other). I want this "weight" gone from me. But until I know what is causing the stress, i don't know that I'll be rid of it. it's a matter of prayer and letting time manage things. It does wear on a person though....
Anyways, Olford's take on this passage:
He focuses on verse 25 "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad". (NKJV)
A good word is a word of encouragement. Olford speaks to the fact that people can get to a point of feeling very discouraged and we need to at those times offer encouragement to them. A simple word of encouragement can transform that struggling individual. Let us be people who encourage! :)