Proverbs 12:6 "The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them."

Proverbs 12:13 "The wicked are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the righteous escape trouble."

Proverbs 12:17 "An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies."

Proverbs 12:18 "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

Proverbs 12:19 "Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment."

Proverbs 12:22 "The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy."

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

Proverbs 15:2 "The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly."

Proverbs 15:4 "The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit."

Proverbs 15:7 "The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright."

Proverbs 15:23 "A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word!"

Proverbs 15:26 "The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasing to him."

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

Proverbs 12:17 "An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies."

Matthew 12:33-37 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Matthew 15:10-20 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. 11 What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” 12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” 13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

Proverbs 12:18 "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

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

James 3:8 "but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you believe your words act as a direct window into your true character and level of wisdom? How does Proverbs 12:17 and 15:2 and 15:28 speak into your thinking? (Matthew 12:33-37)

1. What needs to change for you to grow your heart before God?
2. Does the truthfulness of your life show your character?

2. Think about the last time you spoke impulsively without filtering your words. What did that response reveal about your emotional or spiritual state at that exact moment?

1. Proverbs 15:28 says the righteous "weigh" their answers. What is one practical step you can take today to build a pause into your conversations before you reply?

3. Can you recall a time when someone's "reckless words" pierced you like a sword, or when a "soothing tongue" gave you life? How did that impact your relationship with them?

1. When a conversation starts turning into a heated argument, what is your default reaction? How does remembering Proverbs 15:1 change your approach to conflict?
2. James says we need heavenly wisdom to tame the tongue. What is the Holy Spirit’s role in taming our tongues?  James 3:13-17
3. Who in your life right now needs a "timely word" of encouragement? Write down their name and a specific truth you can share with them today.

Review the verses above and write down one specific commitment you will make regarding your speech this week:

This week, I will practice wisdom with my tongue by…