Hello! How close are you to being in summer mode? Schools around here finish up in the next week. We’re dropping our younger daughter off this weekend at the camp where she’ll be working for the summer. And of course, Memorial Day is almost here!
At various times on the blog, we’ve talked about being a wise woman. Topics have ranged from ten traits of a wise woman to how she parents her children to how she finds her identity in Christ.
Today we’re going to look into some ways that a wise woman talks. The things she says – and the things she doesn’t say – reveal the wisdom in her heart.
We’ll start with the negative side and see four things that a wise woman doesn’t do with her mouth.
1. She doesn’t gossip.
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. ~Proverbs 16:28
Sometimes we’re seized with the “need” to share something we hear or know about someone else with others. (And typically it’s a rumor that’s personal and/or sensational.) Could it be for the attention we get or that we feel a sense of “power” because we know something others don’t?
Even if the information we have is true, we don’t need to share a person’s private business with anyone else. We can pray for the person involved and be a help to them if the situation warrants it.
2. She doesn’t criticize.
Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. ~James 4:11
Isn’t it interesting that this verse is addressed to “the brethren?” These early church believers must have had a problem with criticizing other believers. And I daresay we can have the same issue today.
We won’t agree with everyone, even those we attend church with on a regular basis. There’s certainly a time for a one-on-one conversation if a matter needs to be addressed, but it’s never right to criticize that person to others.
3. She doesn’t inflict hurt with her words.
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. ~Ephesians 4:31-32
If we’ve been hurt by someone else’s words, our initial reaction may be to use our words to hurt them back. However, we need to ask the Holy Spirit for help to respond in a way that is kind and forgiving.
4. She doesn’t brag about herself.
Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. ~Proverbs 27:2
This one’s fairly simple! A wise woman doesn’t boast about what she has or what she can do. Pride has no place in the life of a wise woman.
Now let’s look at four ways we should use our mouths if we want to be wise women.
1. She offers praise and worship to God.
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. ~Psalm 34:1
What will we be doing for all of eternity? Using our mouths to praise and worship God. Let’s get a good start on that now! We can read Psalms aloud, sing along to our favorite hymns, and praise God for His goodness during our prayer times.
2. She prays.
But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. ~Psalm 66:19-20
Prayer is a favorite topic of mine. It’s our way of communicating with God. In Hebrews 4:16, we’re told to approach the throne of grace boldly. Surely we’re wise when we use our words to pray to our Heavenly Father.
3. She encourages others.
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. ~1 Thessalonians 5:11
From her husband to her children, from friends to strangers, she uses her words to lift up others. We can speak comfort in hard times and offer hope and support. Knowing God’s Word allows us to quote Scripture and share God’s promises with others.
4. She instructs her children.
Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul…And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. ~Deuteronomy 11:18-19
What a privilege to be able to use our mouths to teach our children about God! We can tell them about His love, about His care for them, and about how to be saved through the blood of Jesus.
And we get to do it any time and in any place through conversations we have with them. There’s a place for scheduled times of instruction, but let’s also look for those teachable moments that pop up as we go throughout our days.
As we seek to live as wise women walking with God, let’s use our words in ways that honor Him!
Related posts:
- 5 Ways a Wise Woman Walks with God
- How a Wise Woman Treats Her Husband
- 5 Characteristics of a Foolish Woman
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