Using My Words to Heal Instead of Hurt
Evening Scripture
Proverbs, Chapter 17
Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.
A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share the inheritance as one of the family.
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.
A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.
Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them.
Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly.
Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good.
Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the Lord detests them both.
Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it?
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor.
Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.
To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.
A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.
If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good, surely to flog honest officials is not right.
The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.
Evening Reflection
In a day and age where it seems like words are spewed out publicly by the millions every second of the day, God calls us to choose our words carefully, ones that give life, rather than ones that bring heartache, strife, and disaster. Choosing words sometimes means, too, as Proverbs 17 reminds us, that we don’t say anything rather than reveal someone’s sin and failings, challenging many nowadays in an era of tell-all books and people racing to be the first to expose another’s sin. Tragically, without guidance, our tongues are capable of spouting out words that bribe, lie, deceive, return evil for good, despise, rebel, and more, coming out of a heart that is still learning. Yet, as we grow in our spiritual maturity, we learn to restrain our words and cultivate a calm spirit, rather than expel all we know in the moment. God leads us to hold our tongue at times, discerning His will in situations where words may hurt more than heal.
Instead, we can choose to speak joyful words that lead to life, restoring health to those around us, working like medicine to bring relief to those who are wounded and have broken hearts. Still, it doesn’t mean that sometimes God won’t speak through us to help correct another, but when He does, He leads us in wisdom and discernment. Mostly, God calls us to encourage and uplift one another with words of life, His words that come from His mouth and do not return void but accomplish His will in every situation (Isaiah 55:11).
Evening Prayer
God,
Help me today and every day to choose to speak and write words that give life. While words around me are dark, oppressing, and draining, they lead me to choose words that lead others to You and the life You give to us. Cause me to hesitate and reevaluate any words that try to come out of my mouth or through my writing that would mislead, wound, and drag others down. As David asked of You so many years ago in Psalm 141:3, “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips,”
Amen.
How did tonight’s scripture speak to you? Share your thoughts in the Your Nightly Scripture forum discussion.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Photo Credit: ©Pexels/Christina Morillo
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
Related Resource: "Knowing God" - John 17:1-5
One of the greatest misconceptions about Christianity is that it's primarily about learning a set of beliefs or following a list of rules. Biblical truth and obedience to God’s Word absolutely matter, but there’s more to the Christian life than some people realize. The Christian life isn't just about acquiring information and doing the right things. At its core, it’s about entering into a relationship with the living God. That's what makes the words of Jesus in John 17 so fascinating. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Dwell on These Things on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Thursday, 20 August 2026.
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