Pondering the Principles of Proverbs
Back in the day, WYSIWYG was computer-speak for "what you see is what you get." This marked the advent of rapid changes within our computing universe.
While we no longer say, "whizzywig," the acronym is apropos for this discussion.
While we no longer say, "whizzywig," the acronym is apropos for this discussion.
What You Say Is What You Get.
Although New Age teaching has appropriated this concept and made it part of our common understanding, King Solomon understood and taught the principle almost 3,000 years ago.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall it the fruit thereof.
(Pro. 18:21)
This truth shows up on an almost daily basis on my Facebook wall. It takes many forms in a multitude of graphics, but the truth remains--words hurt or heal.
You can either lift someone up or tear someone down with just your words. Sometimes, the tone of your words also does the damage. It is a sad fact that most people are simply not aware of what they are saying or the way they are saying it, nor the effect their speech is having on another.
What about you? What effect do your words have on you?
Much in every way.
That is a truth seldom thought of in our day-to-day existence.
To be sure, many have a 'surface' understanding of this in that they have bought into the 'blab it and grab it mentality.' There are many for whom that appears to work; but we all know it does not work for everyone.
There is a deeper reality here that must be understood.
Your words can be used to design your life, but the attitude behind them is at least as important.
(There is a four-part series on this thought that you can read here.)
For instance, you can get up in the morning, look out the window and say, "Oh! What a day!" Or, you can get up and say, "Oh. What a day."
(the medium of print does not allow me to express the difference in tone, so change the 'Oh!' to 'Ugh.' in your thinking for the second example to get the "downer" tone.)
Same words. Different tone. One lifting up. One casting down. One bringing a smile. One bringing a frown.
And the way you begin your day with your words will most generally set the course for your entire day.
Complainers seem to get exactly what they complain about. Why?
Positive people seem to generally have good things going for them. Why?
Could it possibly be that "Death and life are in the power of the tongue?"
(Death = negative things. Life = good things.)
The last half of that verse is the clincher: "...they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
In other words, you get to enjoy the results of your words.
Examine your life. Pay attention to the words that come out of your mouth.
Is there room for change?
What could you begin doing today to change?
All comments, questions, and/or criticisms are welcome. They will be posted immediately without the necessity of approval.
If you haven't already, sign up to have these studies FREELY delivered directly to your inbox. The link is just above the picture of the ugly guy who writes this stuff. Your e-mail address is safe with me, and will NEVER be given, sold, rented, or otherwise distributed to anyone else. Nor will I use it to solicit you by any other means. You will have the option to stop receiving the e-mails with each and every posting.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall it the fruit thereof.
(Pro. 18:21)
This truth shows up on an almost daily basis on my Facebook wall. It takes many forms in a multitude of graphics, but the truth remains--words hurt or heal.
You can either lift someone up or tear someone down with just your words. Sometimes, the tone of your words also does the damage. It is a sad fact that most people are simply not aware of what they are saying or the way they are saying it, nor the effect their speech is having on another.
What about you? What effect do your words have on you?
Much in every way.
That is a truth seldom thought of in our day-to-day existence.
To be sure, many have a 'surface' understanding of this in that they have bought into the 'blab it and grab it mentality.' There are many for whom that appears to work; but we all know it does not work for everyone.
There is a deeper reality here that must be understood.
Your words can be used to design your life, but the attitude behind them is at least as important.
(There is a four-part series on this thought that you can read here.)
For instance, you can get up in the morning, look out the window and say, "Oh! What a day!" Or, you can get up and say, "Oh. What a day."
(the medium of print does not allow me to express the difference in tone, so change the 'Oh!' to 'Ugh.' in your thinking for the second example to get the "downer" tone.)
Same words. Different tone. One lifting up. One casting down. One bringing a smile. One bringing a frown.
And the way you begin your day with your words will most generally set the course for your entire day.
Complainers seem to get exactly what they complain about. Why?
Positive people seem to generally have good things going for them. Why?
Could it possibly be that "Death and life are in the power of the tongue?"
(Death = negative things. Life = good things.)
The last half of that verse is the clincher: "...they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
In other words, you get to enjoy the results of your words.
Examine your life. Pay attention to the words that come out of your mouth.
Is there room for change?
What could you begin doing today to change?
All comments, questions, and/or criticisms are welcome. They will be posted immediately without the necessity of approval.
If you haven't already, sign up to have these studies FREELY delivered directly to your inbox. The link is just above the picture of the ugly guy who writes this stuff. Your e-mail address is safe with me, and will NEVER be given, sold, rented, or otherwise distributed to anyone else. Nor will I use it to solicit you by any other means. You will have the option to stop receiving the e-mails with each and every posting.
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