Proverbs 12:18
“There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.”
Have you ever been around someone who doesn’t know when to stop talking? It is annoying to hear them constantly talk. They are the ones who seem to know everything about everyone, and you are going to hear about it whether you like it or not. It is this type of person whose conversations are hurtful. Like the verse says above, “There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword…” The abundance of words always ends up hurting instead of helping.
There is another type of person who rarely says anything, but when they say something it is worth listening to because it is going to help. That is what God meant when He says, “…but the tongue of the wise is health.” It doesn’t say how much is said that makes his words healthy, it just says that what the wise person says is healthy.
According to the verse above, your words are either going to be a sword to hurt or a balm to heal. It’s interesting that the word “speaketh” means to babble. In other words, the one who talks uncontrollably ends up hurting, but the one who is measured with their talk ends up helping. Let me give you three suggestions that will help you to make your words helpful.
First, you don’t always have to say something. Sometimes no answer is the best answer. Just because you are listening to a conversation doesn’t mean you have to say something. Many people get themselves into trouble by talking when they should be quiet. Opinions are oftentimes the source of hurt. We approach a situation and think we have to give our opinion when it is not necessarily our right to give our opinion. Just because you want to say something doesn’t mean you should. Always remember that every word that comes from your mouth has an impact for good or bad.
Second, think before you talk. The problem with the person in the verse above is they won’t stop talking; they just keep on talking trying to find something to say. Don’t always feel like you have to quickly give an answer. The best way to give the right answer is to think before you speak. Ask yourself if what you are about to say is truly going to be helpful to those who hear. Words will only be helpful when you learn to say everything on purpose. Be precise with what you say and then be quiet.
Third, don’t say anything when what you are going to say won’t help. My mother used to say, “If you don’t have anything good to say, then don’t say anything at all.” I’m sure every child has heard that statement. As much as you didn’t like it when your parents said that to you, it is a very true statement that should be followed. Your words will either help or hurt, so it would be best not to say anything at all if what you will say won’t help.
Every word spoken can never be retrieved. If you are measured with what you say, then you will never wish you could take something back. Let your words be words of health. Your motto should be to say something good to everyone because everyone is having a tough time.