Esther: Seeing Our Invisible God in an Uncertain WorldExemplo

How to Shape Your Words to Matter in Your World

Proverbs 31:26 is our key verse today, and it reads, “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”(NIV)

When I was a teenager, I was incredibly opinionated and loved to voice my every thought. I’m sure the people around me loved it. (Cringe.)

Then, at sixteen something life-altering happened to me. I fell madly in love with Jesus, and I started to want to know God more than anything. Even more than talking.

One transformation that God accomplished in me during that time is that He quieted me. As He taught me His higher ways and higher thoughts in Scripture, I realized that my opinion was worth… well, the proverbial two cents. Learning to value God’s Word over my own words was a necessary, but painful, dying-to-self process.

At that point, choosing silence was an act of obedience, and God called it good!

But years later, silence became something else entirely. Instead of choosing silence to learn more about God, I started using it as a way to:

Fit in.

Get along.

Self-protect.

Appear righteous.

Even though it may have appeared virtuous, my reluctance to speak about anything difficult or controversial was motivated by fear and people-pleasing. My silence had switched from being a needed season of learning to outright disobedience. Because God uses our words, there were things I should have been speaking up about.

After we listen, feel, and do, the steps Lynn and I have talked about in previous days, it’s time to speak!

In Scripture, a wise mother taught her son how to identify a strong, godly woman. Proverbs 31: 10-31 is a passage that lists the characteristics of a woman who follows God throughout her lifetime. Interestingly, it includes a lesson on how godly women speak up in godly ways.

Proverbs 31:26 says, “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” Godly women are set apart by the way they use their words.

God gives us two guidelines in this passage for the words we’re called to speak:

Wise words—Our personal opinions aren’t what’s needed. Our words become pleasing to God and valuable to others when they come from the heart of our Father, the giver of all wisdom.

Faithful teaching—In order to battle our tendency to spew our own thoughts, we steep ourselves in the Bible, the very thoughts and words of God. Passing on His instruction will bring blessing.

For women who love God and want to use our words well, He’s given us many Scriptural models—women who lived out the truths of Proverbs 31:26. Among them are Abigail, who averted a slaughter with a diplomatic speech (I Samuel 25), Huldah, who delivered God’s message to a king (II Kings 22:13-20), and Mary Magdalene, who proclaimed Jesus’ resurrection to the rest of His followers (John 20:18).

I’m especially inspired by Esther, who saved her people with her words. She didn’t rush in with her own thoughts like I often do. Instead, she paused and fasted for God’s direction. She waited for just the right time to speak. Then she didn’t stop speaking up, even though her life was in danger until her people were fully safe. Esther left self-protective silence behind and followed God, allowing Him to shape her. In turn, He used her voice to redeem her people.

Over a decade ago, God shone His light on my heart. He showed me that my season of silence was long-past. He has a purpose for my voice. God called me to wrap words around His ways, and I’m still in the process of learning to do it well.

God has a purpose for your voice too! Let’s follow the examples of godly women in Scripture and choose to be women who speak up in godly ways. We can all learn to use our words as conduits of His redemption.

Let’s pray that God will use our words in His world.

Lord, You are always at work to redeem, and I want to be used by You. I give my words to You. Teach me to be a godly woman who speaks up in godly ways.