Speaking with Wisdom, Kindness, and Trust
Hi ladies! Welcome to week 3. Last week we talked about when godly ladies are hospitable, produce good works, and are hardworking. This week we’ll be learning about what it means when the Bible talks about godly women speaking with wisdom and kindness and are trustworthy.
Before we dive in, let us understand that speaking with wisdom does not always mean when one speaks they always sound wise, intelligent, or deep. Speaking with wisdom is knowing when to speak, when not to speak, and how to speak kindly.
James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who generously gives without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” If we’re not sure when to say something or how to say it, ask God through prayer or go to His Word. He can help us.
To speak wisely, we’re showing humility and with humility comes wisdom (Proverbs 11:2).
Have you ever said something that you knew you shouldn’t have said? I know I have. Have you ever let your anger get the best of you and lost self-control of your words? I’m shrinking in my seat right now ‘cause I know I’ve done that once or twice.
OK, maybe more than that.
See how I snuck in self-control? I thought that was pretty crafty. See my previous post on self-control and modesty, The “List”: Week One.
So, am I saying that it’s not OK to be blunt or sarcastic? Of course not! We can be honest and sarcastic all we want, we just need to know when it is appropriate to do so. There’s a fine line between funny-sarcastic and just plain rude sarcastic. We need to know the difference.
Proverbs 17:28 says, “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning when they hold their tongues.” If fools know how and when to speak wisely, I have no doubt that us godly women can do the same.
Also, keep in mind that people we hang around can influence the way we speak, “walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20.)
If we are to be an example of Christ’s love to others, it’s important that our “conversations always be full of grace, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6).
For example, my love language is words of affirmation, so nothing would please me more than praise from God, my family, and friends.
So, what about speaking with kindness?
We talked last week how in Titus 2 the older women are to teach the younger women to be hardworking and not malicious talkers. Paul also states that they teach the younger women to be kind.
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24). Kind and loving words to others not only gives strength and encouragement to them, but to us as well.
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18). We can do so much to help and heal others when we pray with them or just smile at them and be friendly.
We must “not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs…be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:29,32). We’re God’s chosen people, His princesses, and He’s asked us to clothe ourselves in kindness (Colossians 3:12).
Not only does He ask us to be kind, He commands us to love one another.
So, if we speak with wisdom and kindness, thinking of others before ourselves, we are loving one another.
There’s so much anger and hatred in this world because people don’t know when to shut their mouths. Ladies, I can’t say this enough: speak wisely and be kind.
Our future husbands don’t want to be constantly arguing with us because of something that was said without kindness, and I’m sure we all feel the same way.
Let us learn to control ourselves and lift one another up instead of putting each other down.
So, what about being trustworthy you ask? Great question!
Remember that story in the Bible when a dude named Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den? We’ve all sung about it in Sunday school one time or another.
King Darius was jealous of Daniel’s “exceptional qualities”, so the leaders of the kingdom tried to find something wrong about Daniel to hold it against him. They weren’t successful because Daniel was neither “corrupt nor negligent” and was “trustworthy in everything” (Daniel 6:1-5).
That’s a fine example of trustworthiness right there, folks.
Imagine, the mean girls at school or at work are jealous of your work ethic, hospitality, modesty, self-control, and kindness. They try to tear you down, but there isn’t anything they can hold against you because you hold yourself in a godly manner.
That’s a godly woman.
Gossip betrays confidence, but our husbands will have full confidence in us when we use discretion, speak wisely, and with kindness (Proverbs 31:11, 11:13, 2:11).
It is an honor when one knows that we’re trusted with the deepest desires and sins of another. To love is to bear one another’s burdens and doing so is obeying Christ (Galatians 6:2).
Heavenly Father,
You’re so worthy of our praise. We thank You that, despite our failing efforts to
speak with wisdom and kindness and to be trustworthy, You still love us. We ask
that You help us become wise, kind, and trustworthy women, so we can love
others and love You to the best of our ability.
Amen.
M.A.
Like this post? Check out my whole Godly Woman series here.
