Scripture Reference: Proverbs 18:4
"The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook."
It really is hard to spend any amount of time reading the Proverbs of Solomon without profound amazement for his wisdom and instruction. I know I have a long list of my favorites, but to think that we have the opportunity every day to pour over some three thousand “deep sayings”, many of which we can put to use in our daily dealings with others, is nothing but a deep well of blessings.
As incarcerated men and women write to our ministry everyday, many have questions regarding some aspect of their daily struggle to cope with prison life. Just yesterday it was my friend Angel at New Folsom State Prison, who as soon as we started talking was telling me that he’s about ready to come to blows with his cellie. This is a guy that is about to go home after many years, and doesn’t need more time added on by attacking another inmate. So, I spent most of our time telling him, - or better said pleading with him to resolve the issues with his cellie before things get out of hand.
Much of what I told him came right out of Proverbs. I spoke with him about his need to show restraint, to be quick to listen and slow to speak. I let Angel know that he could beat this guy with his mouth. I coughed up a couple of verses about dealing with and speaking to foolish people, showing him a little wisdom from God’s Word about avoiding conflict.
I see him this Friday, so we’ll see how he’s doing.
Solomon really is so very right. The words that come forth from our mouths can and should be as deep waters, coming forth to whoever we are talking to as a wellspring of wisdom.
As I said many times, Proverbs is “man's relationship with man”, and is filled with one truth after another that will help us navigate our conversations with people in such a way, bringing glory to God.
I’m always telling our son Marshall that God hears every word we say, and he’s not pleased when we say mean and ugly things. This is true for all of us. I don’t know of anyone who is more of a delight to be around than someone who exercises great control over every word that comes out of their mouth. You may think this is an old and worn out axiom, but every child of God should stop and give thought to every word that they are about to say. How many marriages could be saved if both spouses learned to develop a habit of being quick to listen, and when it comes time to speak, does so in a fashion that demonstrates their love for one another. Fights get started in a split second because of just the opposite, where we fly off the handle speaking hurtful words, words that cause instant damage in a relationship. I don’t think anyone says it in this day and age, but back when i grew up, how often did we hear, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” What A Lie! Ask any wife who's just been verbally assaulted by her husband if that’s true or not.
So, whoever may be reading this today, I ask you, how deep and flowing are you? A wise man has a deep pool of profound wisdom, which produces words of prudent counsel to help others. His soul sends forth a steady stream of wisdom, which is a tree of life to many (Pr 15:4). How deep and flowing are you?
This proverb is not about any or every man. It only describes a wise man, which clearly shows the two clauses. Only a wise man’s mouth feeds knowledge to others (Pr 15:7; 16:23; Eccl 10:12; Ps 37:30-31). Fools’ mouths pour out foolishness.
I really enjoy Solomon’s use of similes. A simile is the likening of one thing to another (usually translated using the English words "like" or "as".(1) For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has gone by, or like a watch in the night. ( Psalm 90:4) The proverb before us has two beautiful similes.
The first one declares a wise man’s words are like deep waters. What can you learn by this comparison? His wisdom is deep: it is not just a superficial view of things (John 7:24: Is 11:1-4). His wisdom is plentiful: he can help with different dilemmas (Job 29:21-25; Matt 13:52). Only men of understanding can draw it out, for a wise man is not easily persuaded to give his opinion (Pr 20:5; 17:27).
The second simile compares a wise man’s words to a spring producing a flowing brook. A wellspring is the source or spring of a stream. As a brook supplies water to prosper lower lands, so a wise man speaks to help those around him. His mouth is a well of life (Pr 10:11). His instruction is a fountain of life (Pr 13:14). He feeds many (Pr 10:21). He is health and a tree of life to others (Pr 12:18; 15:4). Fools are deadly (Pr 13:20).
Solomon had a largeness of heart and wisdom above all others (I Kgs 4:29-34). He could speak on any subject, including trees. Men from the courts of all the kings of the earth came to hear his wisdom. But Solomon’s Son, Jesus Christ, was greater than Solomon.
When Jesus spoke, people were astonished by both His authority and graciousness (Matt 7:28-29; Luke 4:22). And He could shut His enemies’ mouths at will (Matt 22:46).
So, we come back to the question again. How deep and flowing are you? Have you learned the words of truth to give certain answers to those that ask (Pr 22:17-21)? Have you meditated on God’s word to be able to answer enemies, teachers, and others (Ps 119:98-100)? Do you study before answering a new matter (Pr 15:28)? Have you learned how to answer every man graciously (Col 4:6)? Have you shown a noble spirit by restraining your speech (Pr 17:27)?
Have you sanctified the Lord God by exalting Him in your heart, so you can give a sound reason for your hope (I Pet 3:15)? Do you trust Scripture as being sufficient to make the man of God perfect (II Tim 3:16-17)? Do you love others enough to discover their needs and help them (I Thess 5:14; Heb 3:12-13)? Are you spiritual enough to save those who are weak around you (Gal 6:1; Jas 5:19-20)? Can you speak about the things of God to others, especially your children and grandchildren (Ps 71:14-18; 78:1-8; Mal 3:16)?
If you can answer these questions positively, you are the man or woman of this proverb. If you cannot, you need to work on two things. First, you need depth of wisdom so your words are like deep waters. You do this by acquiring much wisdom from the Bible. Remember, we have not because we ask not. Do you ask for a measure of wisdom with each new day?
Second, you need to prime the pump and get your words flowing like a brook. You need to reject foolish reticence or fear of man in order to answer and teach others in need of wisdom.
If you are working in any kind of ministry then you know only too well your need for wisdom. Greater wisdom allows us to be more effective at the work to which we have been called. There are a plethora of problems and questions coming from prisoners on a daily basis where they are reaching out for help. I do my best, but always find myself asking the Lord for more wisdom, that I might provide the counsel from God’s word that they need.
Here is just one example from a dear friend and board member of our ministry. Victoria and her husband Tony have been friends for more than 50 years. In her retirement years, she has chosen to use her vast gifts and skills to serve the Lord. Vickie serves as a Chaplain to a police department, in a city of nearly 500,000 people. On a moment’s notice, she may be called to give aid and comfort to a victim of crime, or to come alongside someone close to death. The examples of events to where she would be needed are vast, and think of her need to have sound wisdom stored up for those times when it is so greatly needed. In a job like that, no doubt she prays for wisdom daily.
Such as it is for all of us. I know it seems like I’m always talking about wisdom, its value, and our need for it. That is because God’s word does the same. You can hardly read a chapter of Proverbs or Ecclesiastes without being exhorted about our need for wisdom. When God repeats himself over and over again in the Old Testament, it is for good reason; He wants us to pay attention. In the Old Testament, writers didn’t have a way of showing greater emphasis on something, They weren’t able to say, that is good, better and best. So when the author wants us to really understand what is being said, he repeats himself.
An example is our ministry verse, Isaiah 26:3, which says, “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee.” Interestingly enough, the Hebrew actually says, you will keep him in shalom, shalom, or peace, peace. This peace is so magnificent, that in order to show emphasis, they chose the word “perfect” to better describe the peace that can only come from God.
In similar fashion, all through Scripture, the Lord wants His people to be a people of wisdom, to seek it, to covet it, and never to sell it. What better verse to commit to memory than Proverbs 23:23, which says, “buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and understanding.”
What if God gave you the wisdom to speak just the right words at just the right time to people who are weary, broken & downtrodden?
Do you remember late night comedian David Letterman. Every night his show would feature the “top 10” and he would go on to list the top 10 funniest events of the day. How many times have you and I talked about our favorite verse in Scripture? All of scripture is sacred, but we all have verses that speak to our heart and soul.
So, if I was making my own “top 10” favorite verses in the Bible, somewhere on that list I would have Isaiah 50:4. I want you to imagine that this verse is speaking about you. Just imagine that whenever you found yourself in a position of ministering to someone who as Isaiah says, “is weary” that you found yourself with the wisdom to know just what they needed to hear, at the time of their greatest distress.
As you continue to pray and continually seek wisdom, this could apply to you. Here is Isaiah 50:4, worth committing to memory. “The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary.” Let that thought set in. That’s almost like having the wisdom of Solomon.
Who can even contemplate having “the Midas Touch” of wisdom, the ability to minister grace to others, always at the right time.
So, having said all this, does it seem like your well has dried up? If so, dig deeper, ask God for more wisdom, and soon you will find water springing up again, a water of wisdom that will be a companion along with greater understanding and instruction.
The words that spring forth from our mouth are of critical importance, and speak volumes about our character. Let us, O Lord, with every new day we ask as David cried out, “Set a guard, O Lord over my mouth, Keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Ps 141:3) May all of our words be seasoned with salt and covered with love so that they may give grace to the hearer.
So, does it seem like your well has dried up? If so, dig deeper, ask God for more wisdom, and soon you will find water springing up again, a water of wisdom that will be a companion along with greater understanding and instruction. The words that spring forth from our mouth are of critical importance, and speak volumes about our character. Let us, O Lord, with every new day we ask as David cried out, “Set a guard, O Lord over my mouth, - Keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Ps 141:3) May all of our words be seasoned with salt and covered with love so that they may give grace to the hearer.
To Memorize
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Proverbs 25:11
A final word from Charles Spurgeon
“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.”
From: Fight the Good Fight of Faith & Hope Journal: By Gregg Harris
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