#proverbs 15:4

Proverbs 15:4

The soothing tongue is a tree of life,

but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

by Alexander Smellie (1857–1923)

"A gentle tongue is a tree of life" - Proverbs 15:4

How many are the sins of the tongue—how many, and how deadly! From anger, from slander, from folly, from untruthfulness, from untender judgments, from impure and defiling speech, good Lord, deliver me.

There is, St. Paul says, a foolish talking which is not convenient (Ephesians 5:4).  My conversation may be insipid, vain, unprofitable, trivial, and idle. It may do no good to anyone. 1t may kindle no consoling, strengthening, inspiring thought. It is not seasoned with the salt of grace. It has not the earnestness and the spiritual quality which befit the Christian.

There is, St. Paul says again, a filthy communication which should never proceed from a disciple’s mouth (Colossians 3:8). It ministers to wantonness. It is suggestive of what is evil and unholy. It paints sin in gay and brilliant and enticing colors, so that its real ugliness is not recognized. All such speech I must abhor. I must not listen to it in others, nor tolerate it in myself.

There is, St. Paul says once more, a jesting which is not becoming in the believer and the saint (Ephesians 5:4). In whatever pleasantry and humor I may allow myself, I must ever be refined, noble-hearted, tender. There is a persiflage [light and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter], a wit, a banter, a sarcasm, which is neither high-minded nor kind. It is enlisted in the service of sin and not in that of Christ.