Good morning and a blessed Thursday morning to you.

Would you open your Bibles, please, to the book of Proverbs? We're going to begin in Proverbs chapter 10.

We live in a day in which examples abound of what might be termed uncontrolled speech. The Bible really talks about the opposite of that and calls us to it. The Bible speaks of controlled speech.

For example, look with me at Proverbs 10:19. There we read:

"When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but the prudent are restrained in speech."

Or turn with me to Proverbs 12:18:

"Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

Or Proverbs 13:3:

"Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives; those who open wide their lips come to ruin."

How about one more? Let's go to Proverbs 18:7:

"The mouths of fools are their ruin, and their lips a snare to themselves."

Controlled communication is really countercultural, isn't it? We live in a day when there can be the temptation to let words simply tumble out of our mouths, or the temptation to demonize someone simply because they hold a different position on a topic.

The day in which we live is often exemplified by unbridled talk instead of, to use the image from the book of James, a bridled tongue.

Have you ever thought to yourself, or perhaps even said, "I'm just going to say it"? If that thought comes to mind, or if you find yourself saying those words, it might be an indication that what follows should remain unsaid.

Instead, Colossians chapter 4 gives us guidance:

"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone."

Salt is a preservative. Salt also gives flavor. Our words, as we share them, should be seasoned with salt that brings something good to a conversation and acts as a preservative within it.

The reformer John Calvin said this about thoughtless speech:

"Unbelievers are driven from bad to worse."

What Calvin is getting at is that the words we use are part of the witness we make.

All of us fall short. And when we fall short in our use of words, thanks be to God for the grace that is ours through Jesus Christ.

When we fail, look to the perfect Word—Holy Scripture. Look to the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ. Look to what Christ has accomplished through His death on the cross.

Hear again that word of forgiveness. Hear the promise that we are clothed in the righteous garment of Jesus Christ and that His perfect life is credited to us.

When we fall short, look to the Word that points us to the Word, Jesus Christ, and hear the forgiveness He has won for us. And know that the Lord Jesus Christ is at work through His Word to shape our words, because our words make a witness.

Let's pray.

Thank You, Lord, for this time in Your Word. Your Word is truth.

Thank You for the forgiveness that is ours through the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. And thank You, Lord, that You are at work through Your Word to form our words into the witness You desire.

We praise You and give You glory.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

God bless you today. Encourage someone.

Pastor Eibel