Proverbs 15:4-5 (ESV)
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father’s instruction,
but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
Kind words bring healing and life to the person who has been broken by the harsh and insensitive language of careless and even selfish people. We know whether one is a fool by observing the way she listens to, implements and stores up wisdom. Those who pay attention to correction, humbly making changes and growing to be more like the Lord, are wise. The fool sees no need to improve her character. She doesn’t want to put in the effort to make changes. We must be extremely careful about what we say. It’s easy to let harmful speech roll out of our mouths, but it’s difficult to undo the damage created by foolish talk. Think of a time when you spoke about another in a mean-spirited way. Ask God to forgive you and cleanse you from your sinful speech, working diligently with the Holy Spirit to be wise with your words today.