Proverbs referenced in this sermon:
10:11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
10:21 The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.
11:9 With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.
12:18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
13:3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
15:4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
16:24 Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
30:14 … those whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are set with knives to devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among mankind.
26:18-19 Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
16:24 Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
27:2 Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.
27:6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.
28:23 Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue.
17:27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
17:28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.
18:2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
18:13 To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
10:19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.
15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
25:15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
15:23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply – and how good is a timely word!
26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.
26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
27:14 If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.
10:20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
16:23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.
4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”