5/15/2024
Elijah McSwain, Sr.
Proverbs 15:4 (NKJV) - A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
"President Calvin Coolidge was famously known as a man of few words. His nickname was “Silent Cal.” His wife, Grace Goodhue Coolidge, told the story of a young woman who sat next to her husband at a dinner party. She told Coolidge that she had a bet with a friend that she could get at least three words of conversation from him. Without looking at her he quietly retorted two words, “You lose.” Coolidge understood very well the value of using only carefully considered words—and those being few in number. In a time when people reveal their true nature in the most public ways without thought or hesitation, it is important for us to recapture using our words wisely. Truly wise believers do not feel the need to say everything that cross their minds. Instead, they choose their words with care, recognizing the responsibility that comes with our speech. Jesus said, “But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:36–37). 1
The words that we choose to speak can have a lasting effect on a person in a positive or negative way. The use of our words can have a tremendous impact on the emotional and spiritual health on others around us.
So, it is imperative that we carefully consider the fruitfulness and the unfruitfulness of our vocabulary. Our words matter. Our level of tone matters. The intent of our words matters.
Proverbs 18:21 NKJV speaks of “death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” The tongue can produce a great degree of good or a great degree of evil. With this in mind, as individuals we need to take a self-examination to see if our speech is wholesome or perverse.
The Constructive Effects of Wholesome Speech
King Solomon wrote that a wholesome tongue is a tree of life (v. 4a). The word wholesome refers to words that build up, provide counsel, give advice, are sound, edifying, godly, wise, and promote life. Consequently, a wholesome tongue is characterized by virtuous, upright, and morally ethical speech that is used appropriately from a vertical perspective and a horizontal perspective.
The mouth that is governed by a wholesome tongue aims to please God vertically in association with every word and syllable that rolls off the tip of the tongue.
Communication before God is sought to be acceptable in His sight, therefore, our communication should be of upmost respect for God and our fellowman. Psalm 19:14 (NKJV) is penned “let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.” In connection with possessing a love for God and an aim to please Him, the tongue of the wise is also used as an instrument to invest in the lives of other people horizontally. Words that are spoken from sound judgment have a profound effect upon the listener. William MacDonald stated it this way that “wholesome, gracious speech refreshes, soothes, and revives.” 2
Words that are wisely spoken reinforces those who are weak, builds up those who are torn down, instructs those who need guidance, lovingly corrects those who have gone wayward, offers comfort to the lonely, gives counsel to those that seek advice, and ultimately, the use of such words point people to God.
Matthew Henry would add “a good tongue is healing, healing to wounded consciences by comforting them, to sin-sick souls by convincing them, to peace and love when it is broken by accommodating differences, compromising matters in variance, and reconciling parties at variance; this is the healing of the tongue, which is a tree of life, the leaves of which have a sanative virtue.” 3 Thus, Solomon placed emphasis on the fact that a wholesome tongue is a tree of life. His words imply that gracious speech has a metaphorical description of being a tree of life since wisely articulated words offer spiritual renewal, godly vigor, inward refreshment, rejuvenation, resurgence, and revitalization. Proverbs 12:18b NKJV declares that “the tongue of the wise promotes health.” The careful use of our words can bring restoration and soundness to the body and minds of others.
Words that are wholesome bind up the wounds inflicted by others. A wholesome tongue advocates peace. A wholesome tongue restores broken relationships. A wholesome tongue suppresses chaos. A wholesome tongue encourages. A wholesome tongue speaks the truth in love. Thereby, promoting the health of any critical situation that was on the verge of becoming lifeless.
Proverbs 16:24 NKJV concludes that “pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” The facility of our speech is not to amass glory in ourselves through our elaborate vernacular, but it is to use the divine wisdom that we have received of God to strengthen the welfare of others who are downtrodden in their mind, body, and soul. The MacArthur Study Bible highlights “honeyed words” reflect intelligence, judiciousness, and discernment in speech to be used in a manner of being supportive to the needs of others.” 4 According to the New American Standard Bible, Proverbs 16:21 reads “sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.” Our words can be constructive in helping others find a sense of stability in their life, help provide consolation and inspiration to keep pressing forward, and to provide a sense of relief through the reassurance of our kind words.
Proverbs 12:25 (NKJV) reiterates this sentiment that “anxiety in the heart of man causes depression but a good word makes it glad.” A wholesome word displays the elements of compassion, sympathy, empathy, cheerfulness, solace, motivation, hopefulness, and provides enlightenment for others to help them navigate through life’s circumstances.
John Gill once wrote that “when a person’s advice is asked, and he gives good and wholesome counsel, and that being taken succeeds; it is a pleasure to a man that he is capable of assisting his friend, and doing him service, or a common good, whether it be in things natural, civil, or religious; when his speech is with salt, seasoned with grace, and he knows how he ought to answer every man; when that which is good proceeds from him, and is to the use of edifying, and ministers grace to the hearers, and is acceptable to them; when with readiness he gives an answer to every man that asks him a reason of the hope that is in him, with meekness and fear.” 5
Proverbs 15:23 (NKJV) acknowledges this truth that “a man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!” As believers our wholesome words should nourish the souls of mankind. Proverbs 10:21 (NKJV) cites “the lips of the righteous feed many.”
Warren Wiersbe noted that “right words are like nourishing, health-giving food. What a wonderful thing it is to say the right words and help to heal a broken spirit!” 6
Are our words giving the proper nutrients to feed the souls of men or are our words deconstructing the lives of others? Let our communication provide godliness for any given situation that people in our vicinity may partake of the goodness of God through the words that we speak.
The Destructive Effects of Perverse Communication
King Solomon in the latter part of verse 4 addressed that perverseness in a person’s mouth breaks the spirit. Perverse words are centered on that which is wrong in intent. It also encompasses language that rejects morality due to inward corruption of the mind that projects forth the seat of the lips.
Every word that hinges under the umbrella of being corrupt is void of God and is destructive in nature.
The motive behind words that are foul focuses on dismantling and demolishing the character and motivation of other people. A.R. Fausset and Robert Jamieson noted that “deceit, error, reviling, filthy speaking, and frivolity, not only do not heal the sick in soul, but increase their spiritual malady, and corrupt those whole, tainting their integrity, and affecting them with various evils.” 7 A tongue that is set on such a course has an objective to destroy what is directly in its path.
One famously recognized idiom states that “loose lips sink ships.” The meaning of this phrase means to “beware of unguarded talk” because of it damaging effects. An unguarded tongue is filled with every vile, highly offensive, repulsive, insensitive, depraved, despicable, unruly, and disgraceful kind of speech imaginable. Psalm 52:2-4 (ESV) speaks of the wickedness of a person governed by perverse speech. “Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right. You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.”
A deceitful tongue is used as a weapon of mass destruction to afflict harm on others as a means of breaking their spirit.
Human speech that is uncontrolled has the power to wreak havoc by imposing its deadly force to ruin a person’s reputation, destroy their dreams, halt their aspirations, end friendships and marriages, keep a wall of separation between individuals, drive people away, and many other things. A divisive and wicked tongue breaks the spirit of reconciliation, it breaks the spirit of restoration, it breaks the spirit of ambitions, it breaks the spirit of unity, and it breaks the spirit of progression. A perverse person uses their tongue to promote evil. Proverbs 15:28b (NKJV) conveys “the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.” The wickedness that is bound in the heart of a person will proceed out of his or her mouth for an evil purpose.
Jesus in Matthew 12:34 (NKJV) expressed this truth by the declaration, “brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” A heart that is wicked inclines to do and say wicked things. What is stored up in the heart manifests itself through the members of the body to interact with other people in an ungodly manner.
Peter Pett asserted that “the perverse tongue deals harshly with men. It is not concerned how it affects people, speaking bluntly and carelessly. And it results for its hearers in brokenness of spirit. Such brokenness of spirit is paralleled with sorrow of heart. It signifies a deep loss of morale, and a broken heart.” 8
A perverse tongue crushes the hopes and mindset of individuals by the injurious activity of another due to a heart inclined against the love of God and love for their fellowman.
When there is an absence of love for God, it is often shown in the absence of love for other people. The outcome results in a lack of compassion, concern, mercy, and tenderness for others. As opposed to possessing a heart being filled with godly affection, a person driven by destructive motives will possess a heart filled with hatred, malice, slander, defamation, oppression, marginalization, schism, dishonesty, and pride.
The nature of a person that is controlled by sin is corrupted by the influence of sin.
Thus, highlighting their opposition of living life against the standard of God. When God is void in a person’s life, their conduct and speech cannot rise above reproach since they are entangled in the affairs of the flesh. People that have this sort of nature, resort to their own understanding for living that is detached from God and shows in every facet of their lives.
Every act performed and every word spoken is not done to please God, but it is done to gratify their own flesh.
Quite simply, a perverse mouth is an indicator of a life that is alienated from God and aims to please the flesh.
Proverbs provides insight about those who live a lifestyle of perversity. Also, it speaks of God’s displeasure of those who live in a preserve manner. Proverbs 6:12-19 (NKJV) transmit the biblical notion that “a worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth; he winks with his eyes, he shuffles his feet, he points with his fingers; perversity is in his heart, he devises evil continually, he sows discord. Therefore, his calamity shall come suddenly; suddenly he shall be broken without remedy. These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” This gives an overall picture of a life lived under the influential power of perversity.
The only way to overcome a life of perversity is to submit to the salvific work of the cross and the finished work of Christ. When a person forsakes his or her own will this gives way for them to yield to the will of God. In doing so, the trajectory of their life, conduct, speech, and their eternal destination will be forever changed by the transforming power of God.
As a friend of mine, Barron Wilson, always states “go God’s way, the alternative is too costly.”
God's way is best suited for our lives.
References
The Believer’s Bible Commentary
Henry, Matthew. "Complete Commentary on Proverbs 15:4". "Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible".
The MacArthur Study Bible
John Gill’s Exposition Of The Bible
The Wiersbe Study Bible
A.R. Fausset and Robert Jamieson. A Commentary Critical, Experimental, and Practical on the Old and New Testaments.
Pett, Peter. “Commentary on Proverbs 15”. “Pett’s Commentary on the Bible “.