The definition of ‘word’ is ‘verbal signal.’ Words are not only verbal signals, but they also trigger what some call a ‘biochemical response’ and can be used by powers to be, to modify behavior.

Because of this a wise man will use words wisely. His words will be calm and rational, not emotional. He/she will be a person who thinks before speaking.

Proverbs 15:28 “The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.”

Proverbs 17:27 “A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.”

How often we have spoken out of an emotional trauma, hurt, quarrel and we later wish that we had used instead words that were gentle and peaceful.

Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Proverbs 15:18 “A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.”

Opinion makers in our society (these are people who use words to make a living: news broadcaster, lawyers, judges, politicians, teachers, etc.) have used words to persuade people in a certain way. A wise man will also use words to persuade a person but towards godly thoughts and ways.

Proverbs 25:15 “Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.”

We live in a world filled with hate, pain and suffering but the “God of all comfort” wants to use us to bring comfort through our words knowing that a word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. (Proverbs 25:11)

Jesus told us that “out of the abundance of the heart we speak” so we know that the source of our words will come from who we are; from our character. We are born with a personality, but not with a character. Character is formed as we respond to what comes our way daily. Proverbs tells us to keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

Jesus said that “a good tree will produce good fruit, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.” (Matthew 13:33)

Jesus went on to say “out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks,” and so Proverbs tells us that the mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.” (Proverbs 10:11)

“The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.” Proverbs 13:14

Instead of finding the positive aspect of a mouth speaking words that bring life, we find pride that “only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” (Proverbs 13:10)

We often hear about “hate speech” not realizing that this hate speech comes from “a malicious man disguising himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbors deceit.” (Proverbs 26:24)

I personally have appreciated this Proverbs study on the use of words and many times it has brought me under conviction for how careless I have been with words. How often I have given advice when not asked and seen it fall on deaf ears. One thing that this study on ‘words’ has done is to make me think more before responding, pray more instead of talking, listen more and speak less. Perhaps this should be our New Year resolution.

May this New Year 2017 be a year of great advancement in the things of God and the extension of His Kingdom!

Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

Unknown writer said: “But it is requisite that members of the common herd be imprisoned in abject ignorance, never doubting that they are ‘free and self-sovereign individuals’ who are in full control of their lives and families, and who can speak freely on any subject they choose, and worship whatever God their consciences dictate.”

When I was taking meetings in Denmark how a Danish fellow who had lived in Canada for many years immigrated back to his home country and what he saw scared him because he saw how he and the rest were being manipulated in what to think, to buy, etc.

One of the definitions of ‘word’ is “verbal signal.” It is a fallacy to think that words are just words from whoever speaks them. Words are not only verbal signals, but they also trigger what some call a “biochemical response” and can be used by powers to modify behavior. We see this in advertisements as well as propaganda that comes out from the government. (Testimony of the Danish man)

I remember growing up hearing an advertisement for Marlboro cigarettes: “So round, so firm, so fully packed.” Very simple, but very powerful. What this did was to appeal to the sucking sense that we are born with. Every day we have an avalanche of information bombarding us that has a mind-numbing effect upon us. This avalanche of information bombarding us is part of the spiritual warfare that we are in. It is to get us to conform to a herd mentality, not question its authority or its morality, but to accept its authority. So often we find that if we do question authority it is as if we have defiled a holy place and we are met with hostility from friends and neighbors. Once we begin to see through this maze of propaganda and begin to understand – we also see how different we are from people or from those we once knew.

We have today what we call “code words,” often used by those in places of authority. Today we are hearing more and more the code word ‘fake news.’ This basically means any news that is not coming from established politicians and mainstream media is to be considered as fake news. In other words, the only source of ‘truth’ or ‘real news’ is from the mainstream media. However, Denzel Washington had it right when he said “If we do not read the newspapers we are uninformed, but if we read them we are misinformed.”

There are other code words being used today that are beginning to shape opinions. Words like ‘loophole’ that lead to greater government regulation, ‘white nationalism or white supremacy,’ or ‘uneducated white voters’ referring to those who live in what is called “flyover country;” people who believe in a strong family, in God and the Bible, and with love for their country.

Moving closer to the end times we will find deception increasing and it is through this avalanche of propaganda we are seeing it and many are being deceived by it. These “code words” do not come about by accident, but are devised by those in power and when repeated over and over have a dumbing down effect upon us.

Satan uses a philosophy called “DIA-PRAX.” Dia means to dialogue to resolve conflicts. Prax means to practice. So, the two together means to practice dialogue to come to a certain reasoning or outcome. In this philosophy, there are three elements: Thesis, Anti-thesis and Synthesis or result.

So, when we apply this to Eve in the Garden of Eden – what do we have?

First, we have the thesis. This is what God says: “You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.”  (Genesis 3:3)

Secondly, we have the anti-thesis, the dialogue with serpent:  “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5) Showing the benefit of eating it that you shall be like God knowing good and evil.

Thirdly, we now know the synthesis or outcome: “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” (Genesis 3:6-7)

Apply this philosophy to homosexuality and what do we come up with?

First, we have the thesis of what God says: homosexuality is sin. We find this both in the Old and New Testament.

Secondly, in this dialogue we see the anti-thesis or reasoning coming out that Jesus loves everybody and so should we, and if call what they do a sin then we do not show that we love people. Therefore, we are those with ‘hate speech.’ So, the outcome or synthesis is that we accept homosexuality and the consequences.

When Jesus was in the wilderness we see the same philosophy being used on Jesus, but Jesus answered with the Word of God.

In this period of deception that is upon us all Paul tells us in Colossians: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16)

The only truth is the Word of God.

James 3:1-5 “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways, and if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.”

Watch your thoughts, for they become words, watch your words, for they become actions, watch your actions, for they become habits, watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

We all have heard the little jingle when we were kids: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” It sounds good and perhaps even has a ring of truth to it, but it is not true. Words can hurt; words can kill or words can bring life.

The wise man portrayed in the book of Proverbs knows that words have great power. For example, we know that words of the wise man are able to rescue people from the wicked who lie in wait for their blood. “The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.” Proverbs 12:6

Wise counsel or words have the power to help a person escape the traps that the enemy so easily puts in front of us to snare and destroy, and to bring on death. I have often said that a person can learn through experience, but it takes a wise person to learn from the experience and counsel of others. “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.”

Words have the power to bring healing and comfort, and to bring hope to a despairing soul. Sometimes, it is not even the words that we speak, but having a listening ear as they are able to express their sorrow or sense of despair. A wise man, according to the book of Proverbs, is a man who knows how to use faithful words and knows when to be silent. “The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4

As already mentioned, words have the power to either bring life or death. As I was meditating upon this the thought that came was how words were used by some of the dictators in this past century. For example, Hitler using words to rally a nation, inspired a war that left Europe desolate and in chaos with millions dead. Or, on the flipside, words that were used by men like CS Lewis, A. W. Tozer, Francis Schaeffer and many others were words of life. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” Proverbs 18:21

While our words have power we also need to understand that there are limitations on our words. We have often heard the saying: We should walk the talk. In other words, our actions should go along with what we preach. For example, we could talk about the perfect scheme to get rich, but if we do not work towards it we most usually end up in poverty. “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”  Proverbs 14:23

Smooth talk cannot cover-up the fact of who a man is. In other words, using right words will not cover-up of bad character. “Like a clay pot covered with cheap silver, so is smooth talk that covers up an evil heart. Whoever is filled with hate disguises it with his speech, but inside he holds on to deceit.” In other words, smooth talk cannot alter the facts.

In closing, the wise man of Proverbs is a man whose walk and talk go together. What the wise man says coincides with his actions. A great need today in the church, and in our public discourse as well as in the political and economic realm – the need for men and women is to walk the talk.