Summary

She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Laws are powerful. We often think of regulations when we think laws, but the law I am interested in are those universal and unbreakable laws. The law of thermodynamics cannot be broken. A law that cannot be broken is of greater interest to me than laws that can.

Take this phrase "law of kindness," and you have just hit upon two areas of great interest to me, and combined them into one: Words and Laws. Kindness is not a word based term. The tongue and kindness have been combined and joined to wisdom. Wisdom would be hard pressed without words for expression! Even to act wisely requires thought which usually comprises words. Here, now, we have wisdom, words, laws, kindness. I have spoken words that were not kind. Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18 NIV) There are many verses of Proverbs which deal with the words we speak. Oh, if I could take back some truthful words and replace them with the wisdom and kindness of silence. To express words associated with my anger may be false.

Scripture is clear that speaking truth does not trump speaking kindness.

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She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. (Prov 31:26 NASB)

This Scripture taken from the last chapter of Proverbs is best known as one of the virtues of a good wife. The chapter is certainly filled with great characteristics of a woman to be desired in marriage. Any woman who lives these virtues would be a treasure to someone. I was recently struck by this verse as I read it; I have been studying the tongue and words. The negative impact my mouth has had on my life is profound, and I am determined to change it.

The King James Version uses the phrase "law of kindness," which I like. It sounds authoritative, but I have also been tuned into the concept of laws for about a year. Laws are powerful. We often think of regulations when we think laws, but the law I am interested in are those universal and unbreakable laws. "Thou shalt not murder" is a regulatory law which can be broken. The law of thermodynamics cannot be broken. A law that cannot be broken is of greater interest to me than laws that can.

Take this phrase "law of kindness," and you have just hit upon two areas of great interest to me, and combined them into one: Words and Laws. Incidentally, the concept of "one" and "oneness" is of interest to me too. So, that is a little background as to why this verse sticks out to me.

Kindness is not a word based term. I can be kind without words, and that is necessary. Here we find the "law of kindness" is within a teaching, instructive mode. The tongue and kindness have been combined and joined to wisdom. Wisdom is very tongue tied too, while at no moment having any problem speaking articulately (pun intended).

Wisdom would be hard pressed without words for expression! Even to act wisely requires thought which usually comprises words. There are pictures, but how to turn a picture into wisdom seems like it would require words. Well, it’s not a law that wisdom be tied to words (that I know of) so we’ll just skirt by that :) and go on with the premise that wisdom is mostly a word based system.

Here, now, we have wisdom, words, laws, kindness. None of this would mean anything to me except I want to be a better person. I’m not interested in words because I fancy a new hobby, but because I don’t like the pain my tongue has caused. I am weary from my tongue. I have spoken words that were not kind. Now, here I see a law of kindness portrayed as a virtue in a woman to be desired.

I could take a pass and say, "Well, I’m a man," which I am. However, I read in Eph 5:32 "I speak concerning Christ and the church." Again, Rev 19:7 says, "The marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." This chapter 31 of Proverbs is intended, in my opinion, as a guide for the Bride of Christ, which is any human who has submitted to His Lordship. So, I guess I can’t take a pass. Jesus is looking for a wife who speaks with the law of kindness . . . and I don’t blame Him, it is a desirable quality. One I wish to have.

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18 NIV) I have made myself more aware of the hurtfulness of words. There are many verses of Proverbs which deal with the words we speak. I won’t go into them, but it is worth studying. (If you don’t have access to study materials, or don’t know how, or need assistance, you may email me for help at ExclusivelyYoursHS@jefftratt.com and I will be glad to help.) I am amazed at some of the words I’ve said. What is sad is my assumption that I was just trying to be truthful. Oh, if I could take back some truthful words and replace them with the wisdom and kindness of silence. Expressing a truthful emotion is not wisdom, because the emotion may be based in unrelated events. I can be angry (truly) while being totally wrong in why I’m angry. To express words associated with my anger may be false.

Proverbs 17:27 says, "A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered." Ouch! Nabbed on both accounts there. Scripture is clear that speaking truth does not trump speaking kindness. I still find it very hard to stop myself when I know truth is being ignored. Add to that my anger when I sense deceit and I’m just a mess. I’m thankful the ability to learn–at least God doesn’t just leave us wandering around in ignorance. He does teach if we want to learn. I pray Romans 5:5 a lot: "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us" (NIV).

© 2010 Jeffrey C. Tratt