Dwell | ProverbsSample

Beautiful Mind, Beautiful Words

Introduction

Hi, this is Viv, and welcome to Dwell.

For the next few minutes, I invite you to join me as we recenter upon the Lord by opening our hearts to hear from him through the words of Scripture.

Thanks for joining us.

Silence

As we begin, let's sit in silence for a moment, seeking to be attentive to the presence of God, the one in whom we live and move and have our being.

Passage

Proverbs 15:1-2

A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.(CSB)

Exhortation

When I think about attractiveness, my mind doesn’t rush to the idea of knowledge. I tend to think of nature — the beauty of God’s creation. But when I think about this proverb, something clicks between the two ideas: knowledge and creation. Since our Creator made everything we see by speaking words from knowing his mind, words bring knowledge to life. Words are how we bring what’s in us out into the world, shaping it as we do. Our Father invites us to extend the Kingdom of God out into our spheres of influence — using words.

Gentle words stir up life, spurring us toward goodness. Harsh words run through lives like forest fires, burning trust, and alienating souls. When you hear it like that, it’s an obvious choice, right? But in real life, it isn’t always so easy to speak good words. Why is that? Words spill out of our minds from the ideas that fill our thinking and feeling. We can’t help but overflow from what fills us.

If you’re feeling more foolish than attractive lately, rather than memorize new scripts that sound attractive, begin inviting new ideas and feelings to replace the knowledge of your mind. Ask God to show you the shape of His mind. Then, invite Him to make his home in the parts of your mind that could use a makeover. A beautiful mind spills over into beautiful words. Imagine what the mind of God must look like if creation is the fruit of his words! Let’s humble ourselves to realize that our inner life without God is harsh and foolish. As we keep turning to the Holy Spirit to flood us with the beauty of His life, we will naturally notice our words filled with gentle beauty. The Great Gardener is at work, bringing life into us and through us. Yes! Let’s be part of bringing His Kingdom to earth.

Active Response

In response, let's return to the truth from today's passage one more time and spend a moment in quiet reflection:

Our lives are made to extend beauty-filled life into the world; aswe learn to walk in God’s truth,we see His Kingdom come.

Closing Prayer

Father, I want my life to be attractive — stirring up life with my words. But so often, as I look in the rearview mirror, I see a forest fire blazing. My words are more harsh than gentle. As hard as it is to admit, I need help. I need You. Come and flood the parts of my mind that are harsh and foolish with your beauty. I realize that sometimes I just say things that sound good, but it’s a script. Together, I know we can change that. I permit you to point out the places in my heart and mind that need a makeover. Yes, I want and choose you. Yes!

Outro

Now, go in peace, and let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.