It’s  Women of the Word Wednesday here at Refocused Bible Study! This project is near and dear to my heart. Every Wednesday, a fellow blogger will share with us how the Lord spoke to them through the day’s chapter.

You’re going to love what our guest writer, Nichole of Courage.Hope.Love has to share with us about seeking the Lord’s wisdom in every word we speak, based on our chapter of the day, Proverbs 17. Nichole is gifted in sharing insight about God’s word in a compact way that leaves you with a clear application of scripture. Visit her blog and be encouraged by her message below. 

Proverbs 17: Seeking Wisdom In Our Words

I grew up in a loud home. Words were many, arguments were commonplace and all shouted to be heard. I’ve always thought this was normal, I enjoyed talking as much as the next person. But when I brought my husband-who I was dating at the time-home, I recognized a very different perspective.

“A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.” -Proverbs 17:27

Restraining words was not something I was used to. 

After all, in a world where everyone talks so loud, you have to shout to be heard. And so I shouted.

Sometimes it was just a story about my day, other times it was an opinion. And many others, it was an argument founded on the desire to be heard and the desire to be right.

But as I processed this newfound truth, Jesus began to teach me something.

True wisdom is not about being right. True wisdom is not about having all the answers.

True wisdom is when we seek God above all else and seek to follow Him with our whole heart and our whole life.

In my search to grow closer to the Lord, I realized that I needed to surrender my desire to be heard and surrender every one of my words to the Lord.

What would come from my winning of an argument?

What could result from shouting over another’s words?

“A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.” -Proverbs 17:24

As I sought out wisdom, I needed to align my goals and my desires with the Lord.

We must remember our purpose and our calling with each word that we speak.

We are called to love and to forgive.

We are called to be humble and to serve.

We are called to minister and to care.

Every word that we speak is an opportunity to spread God’s almighty love and everlasting hope. 

This isn’t easy. In fact, I often fail to speak words that align with this call. But I see God’s transforming power at work within me.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” -James 1:5

In James, we find the promise that as we seek wisdom, God will transform us.

Proverbs is a book full of the picture of perfect wisdom.

Today, I encourage you to seek the Lord’s wisdom in each and every word that you speak.

Seek to align your desires with God’s heart.

And remember this: “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver.” -Proverbs 16:16

Nicole Kauffman is a wife, blogger and passionate follower of Christ. Her blog Courage. Hope. Love. was founded to encourage, inspire and guide Christians to deeper hope and joy in the Lord. Nicole lives in Pennsylvania with her amazing, God-seeking husband and family. She is an aspiring author who loves to grow relationships, mentor, and explore the beauty of God’s creation all around.