The book of Proverbs is about attitude, having a good one. It is about an attitude, towards God, being tuned in to Him. It could be called "How to have a Godly life for Dummies" It doesn't contain instructions on how to be pious or religious or how to be superior to others. Not at all. It gives instructions on how to be kind, thoughtful, caring, how to raise kids and if you are young, how to listen to your parents, things like that. The chapters of Proverbs can be repetitious, they repeat the same instructions. The writer knew that people don't get it the first time they hear it or read it. So tell em again, and again. Today's "lesson" that I just finished reading is a bit of a repeat. It's about that little thing that all humans have, but it can cause big trouble if not used correctly, if used thoughtlessly, if used with anger.

It's the tongue. That thing I used to not control sometimes and smart off at my Mom. It's a powerful little thing, which James compared to the rudder of a ship (or the steering wheel of a motorcoach) it is small but it can steer something big. It can change our direction, our course. It can put us on the shallow rocks, off the road, or speak about the love of God. It can set things ablaze too and spread fire with the wind of gossip. A person's words can mend or break a heart. It can build people up or tear them down. The tongue is a gage of our hearts, it can show people what is in there. And what is in there will eventually come out. Think before you speak, God provides us with that , the ability to think before we speak, like a water filter, that removes the grit.

Let us hope that all of us have tongues that produce something sweet in this world full of harsh and bitter words. Remember the plate that Diane had over the kitchen that I wrote about?

"Keep your words nice and sweet, you never know from day to day which ones you will have to eat."

Proverbs 15

New International Version

1 A gentle answer turns away wrath,

but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,

but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,

keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life,

but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,

but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure,

but the income of the wicked brings ruin.

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,

but the hearts of fools are not upright.

8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,

but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked,

but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;

the one who hates correction will die.

11 Death and Destruction[a] lie open before the Lord—

how much more do human hearts!

12 Mockers resent correction,

so they avoid the wise.

13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,

but heartache crushes the spirit.

14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,

but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,

but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord

than great wealth with turmoil.

17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love

than a fattened calf with hatred.

18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,

but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.