Role Models of America
The Pro31 Woman
Lesson 11
Proverbs 31
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
Women are great communicators and have a natural verbose ability. A woman can talk for hours and chatter about light subjects and entertain all that hear her if she is an outgoing woman. If she is more on the quiet deep side, when she opens up to speak - what she says usually has some depth to it. And if she is a born leader, her words carry weight and she can direct the steps of others with her words. It is commonly known that little girls gather a varied vocabulary quicker than little boys.
For a woman to open her mouth with wisdom – it means she has spent time gathering information. She has studied the subject she is going to talk about. Her opinions are carefully guarded and she does not share them readily with others. One who is quick to answer in a conversation can often be found to have not had all the facts.
Wisdom brings caution to one’s words. Wisdom unfolds a depth in understanding the subject at hand before using words. Wisdom also will cause a woman to carefully use tact in touchy situations to bring tension down.
Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.
Becoming aware that God hears all conversations, and is close at hand to every word we speak, will make a woman watch what she says. And at all times if she will set a guard at her mouth and trust God to help her to speak or not to speak – she will walk in wisdom. Fearing the Lord, or in other words, respecting God with the knowledge that He knows all and we are but humans, gives us the barriers that we need before speaking.
It is important to remember that God is hearing our words. And if we need to speak strong words – it is far better to speak them to God alone than to our fellow man. For God keeps all conversations private and confidential between you both. And He will give you wisdom to speak to others, when you have settled enough to see His wisdom to follow.
All woman can be too free with our words, based on our emotions, circumstances, pressures of life and hurts. But speaking freely under the influence of emotions never leads to wisdom. And many a regret is held by a woman who spoke too quickly, only to have life suddenly change and then her words are swords in the hands of others and bring harm. Or in some cases her very words can be used against her.
Remember the little statement made of a nursery rhyme? “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”. This simply is not true. Words do hurt and linger for years in the minds and hearts of hurt people.
Better to say little and pray a lot, than to pray little and say a lot!
Psalms 52:2
The tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Sometimes speaking rashly comes from insecurity. Or one is trying to overcome a low self esteem and self worth by building up self by big words. . Bragging and boasting may boost her for the moment, but later comes the inner shame that causes one’s esteem to go even lower. Lying lips destroy trust.
At all times if she will set a guard at her mouth and trust God to help her to speak or not to speak – she will walk in wisdom.
She sees before she speaks. A wise woman looks at 10 areas before speaking.
1. facial expressions
2. voice inflections
3. body language
4. the subject matter
5. age
6. gender
7. level of relationship between the listener and herself
8. timing
9. other listening ears
10. her level of expertise or knowledge about the subject
Words – so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become, in the hands of one who knows how to combine them! Nathaniel Hawthorne
Proverbs 31 26 goes on to say “………and in her tongue is the law of kindness”
Kindness in a woman is of more value than her outward looks. It brings a softening, a gentleness, softness, a calmness to her whole countenance. When a woman’s words are kind, she is sweeter, more pleasant to be with, her entire communication and conversation is effective. She can win more with kindness than she can with a strong will. We are taught all through scripture what happens when kindness is involved in situations. It’s a fruit of the Spirit and to be cultivated by all believers.
II Corinthians 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned.
No Act of Kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. Aesop
Why work on being filled with kindness from God’s Spirit?
Women who operate in kindness gain a good reputation.
Kind words are wise and offer grace to the hearer.
Simple acts of kindness can calm and still emotional storms.
Kindness brings healing to all who obtain at her hand.
And how is the law of kindness on her tongue?
She uses a gentle tone of voice.
She encourages others with her words.
She finds a positive word to say instead of negativity.
She chooses her words carefully as to not wound the hearer.
She compliments while correcting tenderly.
Certainly a higher level for every woman to reach for - don’t you agree?
Kind words may be short... but their echoes are endless. Mother Theresa
Written by Gayla Holley
All Rights Reserved 2007
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