Do You Have a Choice Silver Tongue?

DO YOU HAVE A CHOICE SILVER TONGUE?

God created your mouth not only so that you can be fed with physical food, but also so that you can feed others with spiritual food; not only so that you can taste the sweetness of honey, but also so that you can share with others something that is sweeter than honey (that is, the words of God; see Psalm 19:10); not only so that you express your affection to a loved one with a gentle kiss, but also so that you can express God’s affection for His people with a gracious word. 

Proverbs 2 encourages us to “seek” insight and understanding “like silver” and to “search for” wisdom and knowledge “as for hidden treasures” (Proverbs 2:4 ESV). We can only convey to others what we have already found for ourselves. But if we find the choice silver and “fine gold” (Psalm 19:10 ESV) of God’s wonderful truth, then it becomes our privilege to speak it forth in life-giving words.

Proverbs 10 says, “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver” (Proverbs 10:20 ESV). The righteous person’s tongue has great value – indeed, great potential to help others. If other people are in need of refreshment, know this: “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life” (Proverbs 10:11 ESV). If other people are hungry for truth, know this: “The lips of the righteous feed many” (Proverbs 10:21 ESV). If other people are looking for sensible guidance, know this: “The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom” (Proverbs 10:31 ESV). If other people’s hearts need a balm of grace, know this: “the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18 ESV).

The reality is that the people around you – in your home, in your church, in your neighborhood, in your workplace – have a profound need for the wisdom that guides, the insight that gives grace, and the truth that heals. Here is the question: Will other people find what they need on your lips? Is true understanding found in the words that roll off your tongue? Is your tongue “choice silver”?

Dear friend, let your heart and tongue be taught by the Lord Jesus Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3 ESV). Sit at His feet and listen to His teaching (Mark 10:39). Open wide your mouth, and the Lord will fill it (Psalm 81:10). Then, as your heart is transformed by the Lord’s grace, you will increasingly possess a “choice silver” tongue, with precious and valuable words rolling off of it for the good of others. And you will bring nourishment to many!

NOTE: Header Image/Featured Image Photo by Ante Hamersmit on Unsplash