The verses, Selwyn has set for reading and meditation, are Proverbs 16:21-33 (NLT):
“The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive. Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools. From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.
Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on. Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze. A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.
Violent people mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path. With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief. Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life. Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.”
Today, Selwyn mentions that our tone of voice is just as important as the words we use. He says: “Our speech conveys our thoughts; our tone of voice, however, conveys our mood.”
I also though that Selwyn’s conclusion was good: “What is the conclusion after meditating these past eight days on the subject of words? Is it not this: the wise are those who understand how their words can impact another person, for good or for bad, and commit themselves to using words only as Paul instructs us in Ephesians 4:29 – words that are ‘helpful for building others up‘.
The course of a ship is changed when the steering wheel is moved and the rudder responds. Likewise, to change the nature of our language – to change the habits of how and when we speak - we need to actively take hold of our words and change them. For example, if you are in the habit of constantly criticising someone you do not like; before you speak ill of them again – take hold of your thoughts and think of something that’s truly complimentary about the person and then act on it and say it (in a pleasant way). By taking hold of your bad habits and purposely turning them into a new direction, with God’s assistance through prayer, you will become a wiser person. Do you agree?
The cause of most friction
The verses, Selwyn has set for reading and meditation, are Proverbs 16:21-33 (NLT):
“The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive. Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools. From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.
Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on. Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze. A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.
Violent people mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path. With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief. Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life. Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.”
Today, Selwyn mentions that our tone of voice is just as important as the words we use. He says: “Our speech conveys our thoughts; our tone of voice, however, conveys our mood.”
I also though that Selwyn’s conclusion was good: “What is the conclusion after meditating these past eight days on the subject of words? Is it not this: the wise are those who understand how their words can impact another person, for good or for bad, and commit themselves to using words only as Paul instructs us in Ephesians 4:29 – words that are ‘helpful for building others up‘.
The course of a ship is changed when the steering wheel is moved and the rudder responds. Likewise, to change the nature of our language – to change the habits of how and when we speak - we need to actively take hold of our words and change them. For example, if you are in the habit of constantly criticising someone you do not like; before you speak ill of them again – take hold of your thoughts and think of something that’s truly complimentary about the person and then act on it and say it (in a pleasant way). By taking hold of your bad habits and purposely turning them into a new direction, with God’s assistance through prayer, you will become a wiser person. Do you agree?