What does being wise mean to you? Have you considered wisdom and making an effort to be wise? Do you think the words you speak reveal your wisdom or lack thereof? Are your conversations full of grace? Are they seasoned with salt? Or are they ramblings?
Wisdom is not easily achieved. It requires both knowledge and discernment. Of the two, discernment is more important. Determining when it is appropriate to speak and when to be silent is a key component. Carefully choosing our words is another key.
We often see and hear people who speak without thinking. It happens in our workplaces, homes, on social media, and many other places. Foolish and outlandish things are spoken, often with no thought having taken place beforehand. Some of those words are simply funny, but they can also be harmful and misleading.
Proverbs 16:21 states, “The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.” Wisdom starts on the inside. It is a decision to stop speaking foolishly. It is disciplining ourselves to speak only what we know to be true and only when it is appropriate. Also notice the author of proverbs includes grace in our speech. Why? Grace promotes instruction, it is how we are able to teach others truth.
Grace in our words does not always mean our words must change, though we may need to change them. Grace may mean changing our tone of voice. Our tone comes from our attitude. Do we desire the other person listen and adhere to our instruction? If so, we cannot berate them or treat them as though they are a lesser person while instructing them. Speaking with an attitude of grace can help us reach people we desire to reach.
I pray we all desire to be wise. I pray we take time to think before we speak. I pray each one of us have a gracious attitude toward others when we desire to instruct them. Be wise in your speech. Have a gracious attitude. Discern what needs to be said. Determine when to speak and when to be silent.
Colossians 4:5-6 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Marty Pressey 