PROVERBS 15:4 – A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
THEME OF THE DAY. THE FRUIT FROM A GRACIOUS TONGUE. The tree of life is a Biblical truth threading its way from start to finish. It is referred to in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, three times (Genesis 2:9; 3:22,24) and the last book, The Revelation, four times (Revelation 2:7; 22:2, 14, 19). In also appears in the wisdom book of Proverbs four times in the context of giving wisdom, a fruit of a righteous person, the fulfillment of a desire, and in the quality of our speech. It is the last one we want to consider today – how a gentle tongue is a tree of life giving refreshment to those we engage in conversations.
First, a gentle tongue is a tree of life providing the refreshing fruit of encouragement. Imagine being in the company of Jesus and hearing His Words. For a hurting sinner looking for hope or a struggling believer who has failed the Lord for the umpteenth time, His gentle words of “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more” would be a brilliant sunbeam of encouragement to a darkened soul (John 8:11). So what about us? Are we offering words of “Son” shine in our conversations to both sinner and saint alike? Is the ministry of encouragement by our words a tree of life uplifting those we engage in dialogue?
Next, a gentle tongue is a tree of life providing the edifying fruit of affirmation. The Apostle Paul did not hesitate to affirm fellow believers. What an example! The greatest Christian ever to live reached out to affirm the value other believers were in his life. To the Philippians, he writes, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5). And us? There are Christians in our lives who have been wonderful examples for us. Do they know that? Are we being “Paul-like” and reaching out with the “tree of life” words of affirmation? There are discouraged Christians who need to hear from us the gentle words of appreciation for their walks with the Lord. It will drive away the dark clouds of discouragement.
Finally, a gentle tongue is a tree of life providing the equipping fruit of personal spiritual growth. Christians are responsible and privileged to help each other grow. That doesn’t mean we must be in public roles as teachers, pastors, or preachers. Much spiritual growth occurs through life-on-life relationships with other Christians. When is the last time we reached out to a fellow believer sharing a scripture and pointing that brother or sister to the Lord Jesus? Again, we look to the Apostle Paul as the example. In writing to the Romans, he told them of his desire – For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine (Romans 1:11-12). Equipping each other in our walks and service for the Lord doesn’t require the gift of teaching. It really is a manifestation of being controlled by Christ’s love and investing in one another’s lives.
The tree of life. It was in the Garden of Eden and it will be in heaven. It is also found in the quality of our speech giving the good fruit of encouragement, affirmation, and spiritual growth. May our lives be full of this good fruit through gentle and kind words.
PRAYER: “Father, guard my tongue and when I do speak, may it be full of grace and love.”
QUOTE: “Let it be said of us as it was of Jesus, ‘They marveled over the gracious words He spoke.’”