“There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health” (Proverbs 12:18, NKJV).
With great and swelling words
The revolutionaries speak.
Like the piercing of a sword,
They lash with their tongues
The established order of the day.
An evil man digs up evil
And in his lips there is a burning fire,
The unquenchable fire of hell.
But the wicked man shall be snared
By the transgression of his own lips.
He that keeps his mouth,
Keeps his life,
But he that opens wide his mouth
Shall have destruction.
For righteous men hate lying lips
And lips that have no healing.
The lamp of the wicked shall be put out
And his lips sealed;
For wicked language
Shall be overthrown
And the tongue of the wise
Shall send forth health.
“The tongue of the wise promotes health.” King Solomon knew what he was talking about when he wrote these words; his 40-year reign was an unprecedented time of peace and prosperity. The words don’t sound very revolutionary, but they are more world-changing than you can imagine.
Solomon enjoyed God’s favor because he sought God’s wisdom, not his own. The revolution of peace during his reign was due to the words that flowed from that wisdom, and the people in his vast sphere of influence acted upon them. He had learned this lesson well from his father David, who had prayed, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).
Solomon didn’t just want to be kind and good; he wanted wisdom! He wanted his people to feel the security of truth and justice. He was passionate for them to hear the words of a loving God through his leadership, the words of one who understood the desires of their heart and who cared for them beyond measure. He was intent on teaching his people how to live lives of value and service.
Lord, I seek your wisdom! Reset my thoughts, my heart, my actions to be in harmony with yours. May my words bring peace and order and good health into the lives I influence.