Contrast of Words

This morning I was reading in Proverbs and I came upon this verse. Proverbs 18:8, “The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.”
Some translations go on a Jewish tradition and translate “dainty morsels” as wounds, but the actual text is dainty morsels. Wounds are received against the will, but delicacies are only too readily swallowed down. Gossip is often received without any hesitation as to its truth or falsehood, and yet it goes down into the mind and heart and changes human relationships forever. This is the negative power of words.

The words of the wise however are like goads and fastened nails (Ecc. 12:11). They encourage us and prod us along when we become complacent and provide stability and structure just like a well placed nail does in a frame. The source of these wise words is the One Shepherd – God, who gives wisdom to the wise.

Our words are important, do we speak from our own spirit or repeat what others have said, or do we speak what God gives us to say? Christ judged righteously and not by the hearing of His ear or the sight of His eye, and we should do the same.