Speak up

As Ecclesiastes tells us, there is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7).

Words are powerful. God chose to communicate to us through words. His Son, the full revelation of who He is, is called The Word (John 1:1). James describes the tongue as an untameable fire (James 3:5-8). If we are going to represent Christ on earth, how we use our words matters. This does involve being slow to speak and not speaking recklessly, but it also involves speaking up when necessary. 

Throughout the Proverbs and the rest of God’s word we find godly men speaking in two particular ways: to prevent evil and to promote good. 

Preventing evil

The image presented of a godly man in Proverbs is one of steadfastness – he doesn’t get swayed. Proverbs 25:26 says, “Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.” Godly men are ready to say no. This is vital for  personal holiness – and often our steadfastness will have an impact on those watching us. While we shouldn’t try to run into unnecessary conflict, our commitment to the truth will mean that we are quick and ready to stand up and say no to evil that is being advanced. Repeatedly throughout the Proverbs, there is an exhortation not to go along with those seeking to do evil (Prov.1:10). We cannot profess to follow the one who is goodness itself and comply with evil that is committed. 

While we have a responsibility to resist temptation, it is seen that our responsibility is actually broader in Proverbs 31:8-9, “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” As well as speaking to oppose those wanting us to do evil, we have a responsibility to prevent evil being done to others. In our lives we will inevitably come across those weaker than us being taken advantage of by others. In these scenarios the last thing the Bible would have us do is stay silent. We cannot love our neighbour and merely stand by as he is mistreated. This is not always an easy thing. It is much easier to stay silent and hope someone else will step in. To shift responsibility will always be more comfortable but that is not what we have been called to. Being willing to have difficult confrontations for the good of others is a major part of the life of the godly man in Proverbs.

Promoting good

Our positive aim when we speak to others is brilliantly summarised in Ephesians 4:29 “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for building up what is needed, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” As Christians we are to build up one another and we are to be reliable sources of help and encouragement for all who come to us. Proverbs 10 verses 11 and 13 touch on this point, “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.” “On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found”. Our words should bring the word of life to others. This is a great aim to try and keep in mind, however it will not happen naturally, it will require discipline in our private life.

Our words are ultimately only a reflection of what is on the inside. As our Lord says in Matthew 12:34, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” If we want to speak words of meaning and wisdom to others we will need to saturate our souls with the living Word. When we live in this way, we promote and commend all that is good. As followers of Christ those who come into contact with us should recognize that there is something distinctive about us, part of that will be seen in how we uplift those around us. “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body” (Proverbs 16:24). This is what should mark our speech. Gracious words. Words that show the joy of the truth that we have experienced. Speaking and living in this way commends the gospel and glorifies God. To create a habit of speaking this way requires us to be intentional.

Naturally we can have a tendency to speak in a variety of harmful ways, to put others down, to reply sharply, to complain. As Christians we have reason to be joyful and we should have a desire to pass that on to others, this of course involves sharing the gospel, but it also involves less obvious things like providing encouragement, advice and hope. This unnatural way of speaking characterises what is distinctive about the new birth and attracts true seekers to the gospel, “sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness” (Proverbs 16:21). Speaking in this manner is not innate, we will only be able to speak in this way when we properly understand our goal in speaking to others. We are to present Christ. He has loved us and we should want to show that love to others. When we consider who Christ is and the grace he has shown us, it should strike us what a contradiction it is to speak impatiently or condescendingly. We are not trying to win arguments, we are trying to win souls. 

So, as we engage with the world and other believers, let us consider carefully our words and be prepared to speak righteously, standing against evil and standing boldly for the truth. In all things commending and displaying Christ in how we speak to others. Paul concludes, “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbour, for we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:25)