Two Words I’ve Never Heard In Bible Study {Proverbs 10}

In Proverbs 10 we find 4 qualities of a fool's words to warn us why it is important we guard our mouth. Here are two words I've never heard in Bible study. #Biblestudy #Proverbs #WomensBibleStudy #GoodMorningGirls

Wednesday night I went to my friends house for summer Bible study.  We were discussing Lysa Terkeurst’s book, The Best Yes.  Our discussion centered around becoming wise women and women who make wise choices.

Then the leader said two words- two words I’ve never heard in Bible Study before.  So I dug in my purse for my pen and jotted them down.

She said, we want to become “mentally sharp.”

I’ve really never thought about mental sharpness in a spiritual way or how wisdom plays into this acute awareness of the world, how it works, God’s way and righteousness.

But it does –

A wise woman is mentally sharp!

Rest, eating well, and being active all play into mental health. This is the world’s way.

But there’s more – as children of God we need God’s wisdom and the help of the Holy Spirit to live wisely. We need a sharpness that is acutely aware of what is right and wrong and how to walk on the path of holiness.

Proverbs chapter 10 compares the words of the wise man and the words of the fool.

After reading Proverbs 10, I sat and evaluated myself.

I considered a recent getaway with some of my dear bloggy friends.

Getaway Girls
From left to right: Katina, Ruth (TheBetterMom), Summer Saldana, Karen Ehman, Mandy Young, Janelle (ComfyInTheKitchen), Clare Smith, Me, Darlene (TimeWarpWife)

Here’s what God reminded me from my time away with the girls concerning my words…

Twice I had to apologize to someone (the same person!) for something silly I had said.  (Praise the Lord, both times she forgave me.)

Also, God brought to mind a conversation where I gave unnecessary details of another person’s life (gossip) and another conversation where my sarcasm was not ideal… Ugh!

I repented.

It’s ugly right?  It’s embarrassing and humbling for me to write but I’m acutely aware of my mouth going into overdrive and my shortcomings.

There were also times where I sat on the bed and shared tears with a friend and we encouraged one another. We spent most of our time breathing life into each other as a group – as we inspired and blessed each other with words of encouragement and wisdom.  But it seems that even in the midst of good…sin is right there with me. (Romans 7:19)

So today’s blog post is incredibly personal to me as I long to be a wise woman who is mentally sharp, restrained and prudent with her tongue and life giving with her words.  

Proverbs chapter ten lists 4 qualities of a Fool’s words.

1.) A fool babbles…or talks without thinking…and it causes ruin and destruction in her relationships.

Verse 8 –
“A babbling fool will come to ruin.”

2.) A fool uses a wink, (which may seem charming)… to conceal a hidden hatred.   Conceal means to keep a secret or to not reveal. But in the end, that secret hatred behind the wink – stirs up strife and causes ruin.

Verse 10-12 –
“Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,
but a babbling fool will come to ruin…
the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Hatred stirs up strife.”

3.) A fool has a long list of ruined relationships in her life.

verse 14 –
“The mouth of the fool brings ruin.”

4.) The fool conceals their hatred with lies – perhaps even flattery toward the person they hate and then behind their back…they slander them.

verses 18-
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
    and whoever utters slander is a fool.

What do the words of the righteous look like?

Verse 19 – restraint

Verse 20 – choice silver

Verse 21 – they feed many

Verse 31 – they bring forth wisdom

Verse 32 – they know what is acceptable

Proverbs 10:11 says:

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.

Yes! This is what we want to be – a fountain of life!

Have any of the fool’s ways crept into your life?

You are not alone.  I have already admitted that I am a fool at times too.

While being a woman of many words is helpful for writing blog posts – it can be very harmful without wisdom and restraint.  Our minds need the daily renewing of God’s word to transform it and make it more like Christ’s.

May we become mentally sharp women.  Women who are full of the Holy Spirit, discerning, wise with our words, showing restraint, and using our mouths as a fountain of life for God’s glory!

Walk with the King,

Courtney

**Chime In**

All of our struggles are different.  In what ways do you struggle with your words?

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33 Comments

  1. Courtney, I’m using “feedly” reader to view your blog posts.
    Recently it switched over to showing only this message: “This is a content summary only. Click on the title to continue reading the post, share your comments, browse the website and more!”
    and asks for us to update the feed website (which I did).

    So now, when we click to get through to the post, it will re-direct to other sites (MySpace and some others)…… really weird!
    Just FYI and maybe it will resolve somehow!
    Becca

    1. Hi Becca,

      I did switch feeds but Oh dear – that’s not good if you end up at MySpace? Thank you for making me aware. I’ll look into this.

      Love,
      Courtney

      1. I just uninstalled and re-installed and it is looking good now, hooray!….. Sorry to bug you about that! I was stumped each time and then remembered that I had clicked to read at your website… super strange… well, mission accomplished for now!

        All of my GMG are really enjoying Proverbs. WOW! Thanks for all your work this round.

  2. This post reminded me of this verse, “But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” Hebrews 5:14

  3. Our mouth certainly reveals our heart; we’ve all been there and been appalled at the crud that can come when we’re unguarded or stressed. I appreciate your transparency b/c mental sharpness doesn’t just include putting the guard over our lips but also recognizing our sin immediately, leading us to grieve it and then, just as you did, repent and seek forgiveness.

  4. Thank you Courtney. I love how honest you always are.

    I just had an experience last night, where I really needed that ‘mentally sharp’ mind. Really it could be worded a ‘spiritually sharp’ mind. We need to have the Word of God hidden in our heart, for those moments. Moment where we need to make a split second decision. Times where we only have a spilt second to respond in the right way. Spending time in the Word of God every day, helps me keep my mind sharp.

    1. I agree with this! The more time you spend soaking in God’s word, the better you get at making a wise split second decision. Kind of like a spiritual “fitness”.

  5. Wow!! So much truth in this post! Thank you – and thank you for everything you do in this ministry. You have no idea the extent of the impact you’re making in women’s lives – globally!

  6. Courtney
    Thankyou. I feel God has spoken to me via this post. Pride was getting in my way for the last 2 months. I thought that the actions of another were a bigger sin than mine. This post made me realise that I hadn’t been wise with my words either and regardless of how the Spirit is working in another’s heart , I needed to apologise unconditionally.
    Thank you and God for the encouragement you give. xoxo

  7. “….wise with our words, showing restraint, and using our mouths as a fountain of life for God’s glory!”
    So well said! Thank you.

  8. Great reminder this morning. To a person who talks a lot I need this …oh how I want to be mentally sharp. It would save so many bad situations…. That is my prayer today. Thanks for sharing. TRUDY

  9. Much needed for me to read today. I SOAKed “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.” (‭Proverbs‬ ‭10‬:‭19‬ NASB). I have a problem with talking and talking and saying something super ridiculous and completely embarrassing myself and then have to go apologize. You’d think I’d have learned by now but nooooooo I learn the hard way!

    I will definitely be praying that the Lord would help me to grow and become mentally sharp. Excellent!!!

  10. Great post! Thanks for being so open and honest. I love later on when it talks about our words bringing healing and life. I’d much rather my words do that, amen?! You were already so open…and you definitely don’t have to share exactly what you said…bit could you give examples of what “silly” looks like? Women apologizing for their speech just isn’t modeled these days. Thanks for being an example of humility!

    In His Love,
    Joy

    1. HI Joy –

      When I say “silly” I am referring to a foot in mouth scenario. Where I’m chattering on about my own opinions and then realize I could be stepping on toes. Back peddling did not happen in the moment so I went to my friend about an hour later and said “please forgive me – that was super insensitive and so unnecessary.” She was so gracious. Another time – I gave my opinion on something in her life without being asked for it. I just blurted out – You should do xyz. Afterward I thought – I did not even pray about that…what if that is not God’s will for her life and she does that. Ugh! So I rescinded my opinion because I really don’t know what she should do! Have mercy…someone stop the motor mouth please!!! Lol!

      Much Love,
      Courtney

  11. Thanks so much for your openness! It reminds me that I’m not alone in my fight to keep foolish words from escaping my mouth. So many times I’ve come away from a conversation thinking over and over “why did I say that, why did I say that!” after I said something foolish or gossipy. Sometimes I think I need to have a sign around my neck that says “Sorry: spiritually under construction”

  12. Thanks so much for sharing this, Courtney and for all you do! Several points hit home with me, keeping our minds in check with Gods Word DAILY was a biggie! I’m reading Lysa’s book, UNGLUED and says a lot about our tongues/ reactions to people and things in our lives.
    Again thank you for being real about your own life!

  13. My problem are those little fibs to help others feel better about themselves. When I read Keep It Shut by Karen Ehman I realized that it wasn’t Godly use of my words. I continue to struggle at times, but I’m using them less each time. God is good!

  14. I actually wrote on this yesterday in my SOAK as we learned about wise and folly women. In 9:13 it says “The women Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge ” It really made me think about how loud of a mouth I can have sometimes if I let my flesh get carried away! As women I think sometimes we use venting as a way to relate to each other or just easy conversation and for me the enemy knows just how to get to me in this area! Im a hairdresser and around women all day and not always encouraging ones :/ I have to constantly stay in prayer and remind myself to stay focused on Christ or I will totally start rambling too! Not good! The smallest issues can start seeming a whole lot bigger as soon as you vent and exaggerate the matter! Why is it so easy to be foolish? Oh how I’m so thankful for Gods grace and that he humbles me and can keep me grounded every day! Thank you for opening up to us today Courtney! You are so encouraging 🙂

  15. Thank you for this post Courtney! It was enlightening for me to absorb and reflect upon my own short comings of being mentally sharp and wise. Continual Growth – I love it!!!!

  16. VS 6 & 11 hit me this morning. There have been times in my life where I struggled emotionally, financially, physically and/or you name it. As I look back, I allowed the pain I was feeling to spew onto others like a fire hydrant out of control. These verses in NASB read, the mouth of the wicked conceal violence. Webster defines wicked as many things, but disgustingly unpleasant is one reference. Violence is defined as intense, turbulent or furious action or force. As I look back, I was fighting an intense storm internally which made me an unpleasant person to be around. I realize that being aware doesn’t give me freedom to do it again and it be acceptable, but it does give me insight to what can happen when I’m in a painful place. It also positions me to, by all means, make wrongs right quicker or better yet, know myself well enough to keep my distance at given time. The pain I have caused is like hammering nails into a fence. Although I know the nails can be removed, the hole is still there. My prayer today is that the pain I have caused can be forgiven and the greatness of a risen savior can outshine my loose lips. ‪#‎goodmorninggirls‬ ‪#‎womenlivingwell‬ ‪#‎shereadstruth‬ ‪#‎proverbs10‬

  17. Thank you! I really needed to see this! I need that book, the best yes and keeping it shut. I have a problem with debating.

  18. Courtney,
    Thank you for this post. I must admit I was quite scattered this morning reading through chapter 10. I read through it 3 times in 3 different versions and I was struggling to really get a grapple on this chapter. I think part of it was because of a (not so good) conversation I had just had with my husband before i sat down to read my devotions. 🙁 I was manipulative and it wasn’t good. He handled me graciously, and for that I am thankful, and we did get to talk about our situation. But I still wish this type of ‘talk’ wouldn’t come so quickly to my lips. Thank you for helping me get some perspective on this passage today.

  19. I am so grateful to have come across this Bible study, website, and your social media networks.
    God always knows exactly what we need and this is exactly what I needed. I feel the love and wisdom He is pouring into me as I read His Word and do this Bible study. Thank you very much for sharing your story. ❤️

  20. Have been trying to apply this for years, this scripture is my goal…its forward three steps, back two all the time. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. (‭James‬ ‭3‬:‭2-6‬ NKJV)

  21. Hi Courtney,

    Thank you for this post. I really needed this today! The word of God every morning is what helps make me be more mentally sharp by using the wisdom that God teaches me every day. If I don’t read His word its like I’m just like the rest of the world, and not any different, but by spending my morning soaking deeply into the word of God, I begin to see just how powerful the wisdom and knowledge of God really is. It’s like my tool, with it I feel protected, but if I go without it I’m really taking a big risk.

    God bless you and your family.

    Sincerely,

    Jessica Medina

  22. I read all of these comments and could relate to most of them. I too have opened my mouth so many times and inserted my foot. It is often when I am with a mixed batch of friends( meaning Christians and non Christians), and I am just chattering away giving my opinion randomly. Later I will get home and as I get into quiet time I hear the Holy Spirit start showing me my evil tongue at work again and I have to start repenting. I am so in awe of Gods continued forgiveness in my life. This blog is such a blessing to me because there seem to be so many today that never show the ugly underbelly of themselves but here I read about real women confessing their mistakes and seeking God to heal them. It is so refreshing!
    Thank you Jesus for these woman, and thank you for loving us, wort’s and all.

  23. Hi Courtney and all the Ladies. Very nice article that brings one to reflect. I find myself asking for forgiveness from our God almighty due to lack of restraint. The wicked tongue has been a battle for me.
    Thank you for your support to those of us suffering from the wicked tongue.
    Kevin

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