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Wisdom

Apt reply

23 A man has joy in making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is! (Book of Proverbs, Chapter 15, Amplified Version)

Oh, Lord, let me keep in mind that the reward of an apt answer and a timely word is JOY! I generally think of controlling my mouth as a duty. But this gives me a much better motivation, joy! I want to start profiting from this new perspective on motivation for right speech today. I pray that you will operate at the neural level so I can process what is said calmly but speedily and come out with apt answers and a good word at the right moment.

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Wisdom

Cool spirit

27 He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding has a cool spirit.

28 Even a fool when he holds his peace is considered wise; when he closes his lips he is esteemed a man of understanding. (Proverbs, Chapter 17, Verses 27 and 28, Amplified Version)

This is the first time I really put these two verses together. They both emphasize the importance of not talking too much. Oh, Lord, I often talk too much. I end up sharing things I didn’t really need to share. At the very best this bores others. At the worst it may insult them or reveal information that should not have been revealed. Oh, Holy Spirit come  on inside and be a good gatekeeper to my mouth. Oops! I don’t meant that to sound like I’m inviting You to be the butler. No, I want you to be in charge and my mouth will serve you, and all the rest of me, for that matter.

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For wisdom Wisdom

Graceful lips

Proverbs, Chapter 22, Verse 11 (Amplified Bible)

He who loves purity and the pure in heart and who is gracious in speech—because of the grace of his lips will he have the king for his friend.

Father and Lord, let me be this man consistently,  one who loves purity and the pure in heart and who is gracious in speech. Let me reap the reward and have the king for my friend.

Categories
Wisdom

Rich walk?

Proverbs, Chapter 19, Verse 1 (Amplified Bible)

Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his speech and is a [self-confident] fool.

Lord, could I have the option of being a rich man walking in integrity?

Categories
Wisdom

Diamond talk

Proverbs 8 (Amplified Bible)

All the words of my mouth are righteous (upright and in right standing with God); there is nothing contrary to truth or crooked in them.

What a daunting standard! If this had been without exception my code of verbal conduct my entire life, how much better off would I be now?!! I’d have more friends. I’d be healthier. I’d be wealthier. I’d be more successful in every way. I pray that from this moment forward this will be my standard, the diamond standard of speech. I pray that every time I begin to formulate an utterance in my mind that is contrary to this standard, the Holy Spirit will warn me, strongly (because I can be self absorbed), to erase that thought and come out with something much superior or if not, nothing at all.