Walking in Wisdom: The Power of Our Words
Summary
In our journey through Ecclesiastes, we are reminded of the profound truth that God's Word is living and active, speaking directly to our hearts and guiding us in all aspects of life. The Scriptures contain everything we need for life and godliness, offering timeless wisdom that transcends the fleeting trends of our world. This week, I experienced firsthand the power of God's Word to convict and guide, as I was reminded to exercise wisdom in my words and actions. In Ecclesiastes 10, Solomon contrasts wisdom and folly, particularly highlighting the impact of our words. Words from a wise person are gracious and life-giving, while the words of a fool lead to self-destruction and chaos.
The passage challenges us to consider how we use our words. Are we speaking to bless others, or are we using our words transactionally, seeking something in return? The wise person speaks with grace, building others up and speaking truth with gentleness. This wisdom is not just about choosing the right words but also knowing when to remain silent. Sometimes, the most powerful response is to say nothing at all, allowing composure to alleviate potential conflicts.
Solomon also warns against the dangers of foolish leadership and laziness. A wise leader exercises authority with maturity and discernment, while a foolish leader indulges in self-serving behavior. Similarly, laziness leads to decay and ruin, while hard work allows us to provide for our needs and invest in God's kingdom.
Ultimately, wise speech and actions stem from a heart transformed by God. As we follow Christ, He gives us a new heart, enabling us to speak and act with wisdom. Let us strive to walk in wisdom, allowing our words and actions to reflect the love and grace of our all-wise King, Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
- The Word of God is living and active, providing all we need for life and godliness. It speaks directly to our hearts, guiding us in wisdom and truth. We must approach the Scriptures with openness, allowing them to transform us from the inside out. [33:10]
- Our words have the power to build up or tear down. Wisdom calls us to speak graciously, offering life and encouragement to others. We must be mindful of our words, ensuring they reflect the love and grace of God. [41:49]
- There is wisdom in knowing when to speak and when to remain silent. Composure can alleviate conflicts, and sometimes the most powerful response is to say nothing at all. We must seek God's guidance in our speech, allowing Him to set a guard over our mouths. [47:25]
- Foolish leadership and laziness lead to ruin, while wise leadership and hard work bring blessing. We are called to exercise authority with maturity and discernment, and to work diligently, providing for our needs and investing in God's kingdom. [01:07:53]
- Wise speech and actions stem from a heart transformed by God. As we follow Christ, He gives us a new heart, enabling us to speak and act with wisdom. Let us strive to walk in wisdom, reflecting the love and grace of our all-wise King, Jesus. [01:12:23]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[33:10] - The Power of God's Word
[36:02] - Wisdom in Words
[39:06] - The Challenge of Change
[41:49] - Speaking Grace
[44:15] - Words of Encouragement
[47:25] - The Wisdom of Silence
[50:40] - Heart Transformation
[52:54] - Life-Giving Words
[56:13] - The Dangers of Foolish Talk
[58:14] - Moral Depravity and Madness
[01:00:30] - The Fool's False Claims
[01:02:58] - The Path of Wisdom
[01:07:53] - Leadership and Laziness
[01:12:23] - Investing in God's Kingdom
[01:15:01] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ecclesiastes 10:12-14
- James 1:19
- Psalm 141:3
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Ecclesiastes 10:12-14, what are the characteristics of words spoken by a wise person compared to those spoken by a fool? [36:02]
2. How does the pastor describe the impact of God's Word on his personal decision-making process during the week? [36:02]
3. What does James 1:19 advise about the relationship between listening, speaking, and anger? How does this relate to the sermon’s message on wise speech? [44:15]
4. In the sermon, what example does the pastor give to illustrate the importance of composure in communication? [47:25]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the pastor's personal story about the unsent email illustrate the principle of wise speech found in Ecclesiastes 10:12-14? [36:02]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between a transformed heart and wise speech? How does this connect to the idea of heart transformation in Matthew 12:34? [50:40]
3. How does the pastor interpret the phrase "loose lips sink ships" in the context of the sermon, and what implications does this have for our daily conversations? [52:54]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of leadership and laziness in the context of Ecclesiastes 10, and how does this relate to the broader theme of wisdom? [01:07:53]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent conversation where you spoke too quickly or too much. How could applying James 1:19 have changed the outcome? [44:15]
2. The pastor shared a personal story about choosing not to send an email. Can you think of a time when you held back from speaking or acting impulsively? What was the result? [36:02]
3. Consider the idea that wise speech stems from a transformed heart. What steps can you take this week to allow God to transform your heart, thereby influencing your words? [50:40]
4. How can you practice speaking words of grace and encouragement in your daily interactions, especially with those who may frustrate you? [41:49]
5. The sermon highlights the dangers of foolish leadership and laziness. In what areas of your life do you need to exercise more diligence and wisdom? [01:07:53]
6. Think about a situation where remaining silent could have been more powerful than speaking. How can you apply the wisdom of silence in future interactions? [47:25]
7. How can you actively invest in God's kingdom through your words and actions this week, as suggested by the sermon? [01:12:23]
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of God's Word
The Word of God is not just a historical document; it is living and active, speaking directly to our hearts and guiding us in all aspects of life. It contains everything we need for life and godliness, offering timeless wisdom that transcends the fleeting trends of our world. As we engage with the Scriptures, we are invited to approach them with openness, allowing them to transform us from the inside out. This transformation is not merely intellectual but deeply spiritual, affecting our thoughts, actions, and interactions with others. [33:10]
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create a daily habit of engaging with God's Word in a way that allows it to transform your heart and mind?
Day 2: The Power of Gracious Speech
Our words hold immense power, capable of building up or tearing down. Wisdom calls us to speak graciously, offering life and encouragement to others. This involves being mindful of our words, ensuring they reflect the love and grace of God. Speaking with grace means choosing words that uplift and encourage, rather than harm or belittle. It also involves being intentional about the tone and timing of our speech, recognizing that sometimes silence can be more powerful than words. [41:49]
"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:6, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where your words could have been more gracious. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future?
Day 3: The Wisdom of Silence
There is profound wisdom in knowing when to speak and when to remain silent. Composure can alleviate conflicts, and sometimes the most powerful response is to say nothing at all. This requires discernment and a willingness to seek God's guidance in our speech, allowing Him to set a guard over our mouths. By practicing the discipline of silence, we can avoid unnecessary conflicts and create space for reflection and understanding. [47:25]
"Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin." (Proverbs 13:3, ESV)
Reflection: In what situations do you find it difficult to remain silent? How can you practice the discipline of silence to promote peace and understanding?
Day 4: The Consequences of Foolish Leadership and Laziness
Foolish leadership and laziness lead to ruin, while wise leadership and hard work bring blessing. A wise leader exercises authority with maturity and discernment, avoiding self-serving behavior. Similarly, diligence and hard work allow us to provide for our needs and invest in God's kingdom. This calls for a commitment to excellence and integrity in all areas of life, recognizing that our actions have a significant impact on those around us. [01:07:53]
"The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor." (Proverbs 12:24, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you can demonstrate greater diligence and integrity. What steps can you take to lead with wisdom and maturity?
Day 5: A Heart Transformed by God
Wise speech and actions stem from a heart transformed by God. As we follow Christ, He gives us a new heart, enabling us to speak and act with wisdom. This transformation is a continuous process, requiring us to surrender our desires and align our lives with God's will. By walking in wisdom, we reflect the love and grace of our all-wise King, Jesus, in our daily interactions and decisions. [01:12:23]
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)
Reflection: What areas of your life need transformation by God's Spirit? How can you invite God to change your heart and align your actions with His will?
Quotes
So last week, after the service was over, I had several people come up to me. Seriously, it was interesting. Several different people came up to me afterwards and said, how did you know that that was going on in my life? And how did you know that message was for me? Now, that happens from time to time, and I think it happens more often than what I find out. But I found it interesting that several different people took time to acknowledge the fact that what they were hearing from God's Word had specifically spoken to them. And while there wasn't any kind of special intel that was going on in my sermon prep that week, it was confirmation to me that the Word of God is living and active. This, this holy, special, unique book is God's very Word to us. And as such, it speaks to our hearts both very practically and soberly. We do not need anything else. [00:30:48] (73 seconds)
God has spoken with clarity and sufficiently throughout the pages of this book so that we can find our way back to Him through His Son and we can also know what it means to have a life of godliness as we walk with Him. Now I say all of that because it gives me great encouragement to know that the Word is being received by you with openness and that your desire is to be changed by the truth that is contained in it. [00:33:12] (36 seconds)
Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him. The beginning of his talking is folly, and the end of it is wicked madness. Yet the fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him. So I wrote the email, and then I read God's word, and I thought, okay, not going to send that one. I deleted the message. I didn't even edit it. I just deleted it. [00:35:41] (34 seconds)
There is a time to say something, but I would say more often than not, we struggle with the reality that I think we speak too much at times, and we speak too soon at times. And as we learned last week, composure allays great offenses. Now, if you were listening last week, I pronounced it allies, and my wife, the grammar person, said, you know, you pronounced that wrong. And I said, oh, okay. So, composure allays, and that word allays means calms or alleviates. Composure alleviates great offenses. [00:37:04] (47 seconds)
The primary way that we show our foolishness in Ecclesiastes 10 is with how we use our words. How we speak often reveals if we are pursuing a heart of wisdom or a heart of folly. One commentator wrote on this specific passage and said, how we use our words is the acid test of wisdom. What you speak, what you speak, what you speak, what your conversations are. [00:39:57] (38 seconds)
Words that build people up. You realize this. And you know this very, very practically. That what you say or what has been said to you has the ability to stay with you, right? Whether in a good and positive way, as people have spoken encouragement into you and sent you out with God's blessing. And you know what that means to have, you know, someone just encourage you and lift you up. And you also know what it's like when someone said something that cut your heart. [00:42:40] (36 seconds)
Sometimes it's not even just choosing our words carefully. Sometimes it's just choosing not to speak at all. You know what I found in situations when there seems to be a potential confrontation? So if wisdom says that composure allays a great offense, what I found in those situations, when you choose not to speak, at first it becomes maddening for the person that's frustrated towards you. But, you're not throwing gasoline on the fire. [00:45:48] (37 seconds)
So where does wise speech come from? If it's so important, where does it come from? And we introduced this thought last week, but just to kind of circle back to where we've been, how do we give life to others in what we say? Well, it's not difficult to trace the path from our tongue. Just go here. That's the path. That's the path of speaking life. What comes out of here first resides in here. [00:50:13] (35 seconds)
And thankfully, God gives us a new heart. Like God's not calling us to do anything that is impossible. What he says is, if you love me and follow me and you trust me, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. That's the promise of the new covenant. And as we have followed Christ and, and express faith in him, God transforms us from the inside out. [00:51:28] (25 seconds)
The fool uses many words, but the wise listen. Look again at James 119 in your bulletin. Everybody should be quick to listen. Listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry. There is wisdom in listening, in remaining quiet. You should weigh every word that comes out of your mouth. Ask yourself if what you are saying is giving life or tearing others down. [01:01:32] (40 seconds)
So what Solomon is saying is just the mere fact of living in a home means that it requires action, no matter how big or small. The fool is lazy and unable to care for their surroundings. Some of you parents are like, hey, I need to tell my kid that. But wisdom reminds us that life requires some sort of maintenance. As we walk with the Lord, as we seek to become more like Jesus Christ, it requires some personal maintenance in our lives. [01:10:36] (40 seconds)
Without the hard work of the wise, the work of God would severely be limited in its effectiveness. And you might say to me, well, Pastor, you know, Jesus said in Matthew 16 that the gates of hell will not prevail against this church. I wholeheartedly agree with that. I'm not saying that Jesus was mistaken when he said those words, but I'm also saying this, that God has invited us in partnership with him to support the things that magnify his name. [01:13:15] (32 seconds)
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