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Proverbs 15:4
Verse
Context
Sermons
Zac PoonenZac PoonenZac Poonen
Bakht Singh
A.W. PinkSummary
Commentary
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
A wholesome tongue--(Compare Margin), pacifying and soothing language. tree of life-- (Pro 3:18; Pro 11:30). perverseness therein--cross, ill-natured language. breach . . . spirit--(compare Isa 65:14, Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing.
John Gill Bible Commentary
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,.... A tongue that delivers out salutary instructions, wholesome advice and counsel; a "healing tongue" (w), as it may be rendered, which pacifies contending parties, and heals the divisions between them; to have the benefit of such a man's company and conversation is like being in paradise. Such is the tongue of a Gospel minister, which delivers out the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ; sound speech and doctrines, which cannot be condemned; healing truths to wounded consciences, such as peace, pardon, righteousness, and atonement by the blood of Christ. These are the means of quickening dead sinners, reviving and comforting distressed ones, and show the way of eternal life unto them; but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit; impure, unchaste, unsavoury, and corrupt language, does mischief to the spirits of men; evil communications corrupt the heart and manners, defile the soul and the conversation; these and unsound doctrines eat as a canker; and as they make the heart of God's people sad, whom he would not have made sad; so they bring distress and despair into the spirits of others, and make sad wounds and breaches there, which are never healed, and that both in the spirits of speakers and hearers; for damnable heresies bring swift destruction on the propagators of them, and them that receive them. (w) "sanans", so some in Vatablus.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Note, 1. A good tongue is healing, healing to wounded consciences by comforting them, to sin-sick souls by convincing them, to peace and love when it is broken by accommodating differences, compromising matters in variance, and reconciling parties at variance; this is the healing of the tongue, which is a tree of life, the leaves of which have a sanative virtue, Rev 22:2. He that knows how to discourse will make the place he lives in a paradise. 2. An evil tongue is wounding (perverseness, passion, falsehood, and filthiness there, are a breach in the spirit); it wounds the conscience of the evil speaker, and occasions either guilt or grief to the hearers, and both are to be reckoned breaches in the spirit. Hard words indeed break no bones, but many a heart has been broken by them.
Proverbs 15:4
A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good. 4A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
04 Building Fellowship as Husband & Wife
By Zac Poonen2.1K59:07GEN 3:9JOB 1:5PSA 133:1PRO 15:4PRO 18:21EPH 4:32COL 4:6JAS 3:21PE 3:7
This sermon emphasizes the importance of God's order in earthly families as a foundation for building the church. It contrasts the focus on family in the New Testament with the lack of emphasis in the Old Testament, highlighting the significance of relationships within the family unit. The message encourages acknowledging mistakes, seeking forgiveness, and fostering fellowship between spouses and children, with a focus on speaking graciously and building a home filled with love and unity.
The Importance of Our Speech
By Zac Poonen1.4K58:09PSA 12:2PRO 10:11PRO 15:4EPH 5:18JAS 1:26JAS 3:6
This sermon emphasizes the critical importance of controlling the tongue and being filled with the Holy Spirit. It highlights how the tongue can either be a source of life or a source of destruction, showcasing the need for believers to allow the Holy Spirit to purify and control their speech. The message stresses the impact of words on one's spiritual condition, urging listeners to be vigilant in their speech and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all communication.
A Spirit Controlled Tongue
By Zac Poonen73810:38PRO 15:4PRO 18:21MAT 12:36JHN 8:44ACT 2:4EPH 4:29COL 4:6JAS 1:26JAS 3:3
This sermon emphasizes the critical importance of controlling one's tongue in demonstrating true spirituality and Christianity. It highlights how the tongue serves as a powerful indicator of spiritual health and the need for the Holy Spirit to enable believers to speak graciously. The message warns against the destructive nature of untamed speech and encourages surrendering to the Holy Spirit for transformation. It underscores the truth that life and death are in the power of the tongue, urging listeners to choose words that bring life and reflect the work of the Holy Spirit.
Stop Talking About Evil
By Bakht Singh0PRO 11:13PRO 15:4PRO 16:24EPH 4:29JAS 1:26Bakht Singh emphasizes the importance of using words that build up and provide what is needed, rather than harmful words that can cause damage. He warns against the dangers of unrestricted freedom of expression and the negative impact it can have on society's moral and ethical values. Using real-life examples, he illustrates how irresponsible news coverage can lead to further sin and scandal, urging for discretion and wisdom in speech. Bakht Singh highlights the need for Christians to refrain from spreading gossip and slander, as it not only harms the individual but also weakens the community.
The Ninth Commandment
By A.W. Pink0TruthfulnessThe Power of WordsEXO 20:16PSA 31:5PSA 141:3PRO 15:4PRO 18:21ZEC 8:16MAT 12:36EPH 4:15JAS 3:8REV 21:8A.W. Pink emphasizes the significance of the Ninth Commandment, which prohibits bearing false witness against our neighbor, extending its meaning beyond perjury to encompass all forms of harmful speech. He highlights the importance of truthfulness in our communication, asserting that our words can either uplift or destroy reputations, and that we must speak truth in love. Pink warns against the dangers of lying, noting that it aligns us with the nature of the Devil and is contrary to God's character as the God of Truth. He encourages believers to be mindful of their speech, to avoid unnecessary criticism, and to uphold the truth in all circumstances. Ultimately, Pink calls for a commitment to veracity as foundational to righteousness and character.
Learn From Jesus to Speak Words of Encouragement
By Zac Poonen0PRO 15:4PRO 18:21LUK 6:45EPH 4:29JAS 3:8Zac Poonen emphasizes the importance of our speech reflecting what is in our hearts, as Jesus taught that our words reveal the abundance of our hearts. He challenges believers to examine why they may belittle or hurt others, stressing the need to be more like Christ. Poonen highlights the Holy Spirit's role in transforming our speech to mirror the purity, goodness, and love exemplified by Jesus, encouraging listeners to allow the Spirit to control their words and interactions with others.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
A wholesome tongue--(Compare Margin), pacifying and soothing language. tree of life-- (Pro 3:18; Pro 11:30). perverseness therein--cross, ill-natured language. breach . . . spirit--(compare Isa 65:14, Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing.
John Gill Bible Commentary
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,.... A tongue that delivers out salutary instructions, wholesome advice and counsel; a "healing tongue" (w), as it may be rendered, which pacifies contending parties, and heals the divisions between them; to have the benefit of such a man's company and conversation is like being in paradise. Such is the tongue of a Gospel minister, which delivers out the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ; sound speech and doctrines, which cannot be condemned; healing truths to wounded consciences, such as peace, pardon, righteousness, and atonement by the blood of Christ. These are the means of quickening dead sinners, reviving and comforting distressed ones, and show the way of eternal life unto them; but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit; impure, unchaste, unsavoury, and corrupt language, does mischief to the spirits of men; evil communications corrupt the heart and manners, defile the soul and the conversation; these and unsound doctrines eat as a canker; and as they make the heart of God's people sad, whom he would not have made sad; so they bring distress and despair into the spirits of others, and make sad wounds and breaches there, which are never healed, and that both in the spirits of speakers and hearers; for damnable heresies bring swift destruction on the propagators of them, and them that receive them. (w) "sanans", so some in Vatablus.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Note, 1. A good tongue is healing, healing to wounded consciences by comforting them, to sin-sick souls by convincing them, to peace and love when it is broken by accommodating differences, compromising matters in variance, and reconciling parties at variance; this is the healing of the tongue, which is a tree of life, the leaves of which have a sanative virtue, Rev 22:2. He that knows how to discourse will make the place he lives in a paradise. 2. An evil tongue is wounding (perverseness, passion, falsehood, and filthiness there, are a breach in the spirit); it wounds the conscience of the evil speaker, and occasions either guilt or grief to the hearers, and both are to be reckoned breaches in the spirit. Hard words indeed break no bones, but many a heart has been broken by them.