What Our Words Reveal
The ethical genius of Jesus
I wrote this article weeks ago, and it happens to be published in a week when we have collectively felt the weight of words as a nation and as a world. This week, we have waited for words from leaders and experts on political issues, economic issues, and weather-related issues. And with every speech and its subsequent analysis, we wonder what those words reveal about the person who spoke them or reveal about a changing reality.
We are living in a post-truth culture where we may be tempted to think our words do not actually matter. We may also be tempted to dismiss the wisdom of Scripture as not relevant for our political, economic, or personal circumstances of the moment. But that would be foolish. Let’s turn to the wisdom of Scripture and the wisdom of Jesus precisely in this moment of so much uncertainty and the heed the words of the One who came as The Word.
Like a firm parent, Proverbs has a lot to say about wise versus foolish words. Here are a few samples:
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise (Proverbs 10:19, MEV).
The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble; the conversation of good people keeps them out of it (Proverbs 12:13 MSG).
People who are careful about what they say will save their lives, but those who speak without thinking will be destroyed (Proverbs 13:3, ERV).
A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1, MEV).
Okay, Proverbs—I get it already! I wonder if you feel something like I have felt over the years: Reading Proverbs reminds me of the many occasions my mom nagged me about picking up my room or my dad hassled me for not putting his tools back in just the right spot.
“Come on,” we want to say to Proverbs, “you can’t really expect us to live up to these teachings, no matter how wise they claim to be! I mean, I can’t do it. I can’t control my mouth. My words come from some unseen, hidden depth.”
I think I just heard Jesus say, “Nailed it!”
Jesus has a fresh take on Proverbs, like he does on Moses’ teachings. They receive the polish of his ethical genius.
A man’s heart determines his speech.
A good man’s speech reveals the rich treasures within him.
An evil-hearted man is filled with venom, and his speech reveals it.
Matthew 12:34-35, TLB
Nagging from preachers and badgering self-talk do not have the power to determine our words. Unavoidably, our words flow from our hearts. We need Jesus to understand Proverbs more fully. I needed Dallas Willard to explain what Jesus meant by the heart. Here is what I learned from Dallas:
The heart, including will and spirit, is the executive center of the self, the realm from which we make choices and decisions and therefore is the source of our attitudes, actions, and words.
Taking Jesus seriously, Willard taught that the heart is the central focus of our spiritual formation into Christlikeness.
Putting Proverbs and Jesus together
Reading Proverbs through Jesus’ words reveals that:
Restrained lips reveal a heart under control.
What is our plan for restraining our hearts so that we don’t talk too much?
Gossip exposes a heart bent in the direction of harming others, of a willingness to say wrong things to get one’s way.
What can we do to bend our hearts in the direction of love, of willing the good of others?
Hard words that make us feel powerful and able to control others divulge a hard heart.
How can we begin to soften our hearts?
Proverbs do, indeed, express distinctive wisdom about the power of words. But sometimes reading Proverbs can leave us feeling confused, guilty, and hopeless.
Into that discouraging void comes Jesus with his world-changing teaching: We cannot change our words without a transformed heart.
Jesus does not just bring wisdom and encouragement; he offers his life and his power and invites us to follow him. He transforms our hearts as we apprentice ourselves to him. He invites us to become his students in kingdom living, to abide in him like a branch to a vine. Only then, with the vine-branch connection secure, can we produce the fruit of wise speech that Proverbs envisions.
Someone once said about those who gossip constantly: “When you were born God allocated you a certain number of words - and when you use them all up - you die”😀👍