1. There is:

a. What Solomon is about to describes EXISTS… there truly IS such a thing…

b. He states it this way almost in anticipation of someone having a hard time believing that such a thing actually exists.

2. Speaketh:

a. Strong’s: to speak rashly or angrily; speak thoughtlessly; one that babbles; one that speaks unadvisedly.

b. Dictionary of Biblical Languages: to use words in a reckless manner showing little or no wisdom or discipline, as a kind of foolish talk.

c. The term is only used 4 times in Bible.

d. The term is used in Ps. 106:33 – he “spake unadvisedly” with his lips.

e. Thought (though not the word) appears in Prov. 15:28b – the mouth of the wicked poureth out…

f. This term is translated by the English word “speaketh”… but means more. We have to add adverbs to get its equivalent in English.

3. It is a particular KIND of speech…

a. It is rash… thinking harshly… and without forethought… babbling out words without consideration…

b. It is the kind of speech that just bursts out without thinking.

c. Evidently this kind of speech was so common, they had a special Hebrew just for this kind of speech.

d. I don’t think I have to belabor the point. We all know from experience the kind of speech Solomon is describing… don’t we!

4. Thoughtless speech comes in many varieties too.

a. Anger is the most common culprit…

b. Other uncontrolled emotions can trigger it too: envy; jealousy; bitterness; hatred;

c. Constant speech is often thoughtless…
• Prov.10:19 – in the multitude of words there lacketh not sin
• The one who is constantly talking cannot be constantly thinking about what he is saying. Hence—sin… and piercing…

d. Self-centeredness often results in thoughtless speech (thinking of self and oblivious to the sensibilities and feelings of others)

e. Frustration often results in thoughtless speech.

f. Ignorance: some folks speak without knowing the facts. What they ignorantly say can be quite hurtful… (Prov. 18:13)

g. A general lack of self control results in thoughtless speech.

5. Like the piercings of a sword…

a. Piercings: thrust through, stab, piercing…

b. This is figurative language which speaks of the result of thoughtless speech: it hurts like being stabbed with a sword.

c. The figure is one of a man taking a sword and stabbing someone…
• Picture it—blood; cutting into the flesh; deep piercing wounds;
• The figure is designed to be hard to take.

d. Paul used another figure of speech which means something quite similar: “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” (Gal. 5:15)

e. There is something about thoughtless language that is like being stabbed with a sword:
• It is painful…
» Words can hurt more than a sword…
» Words can paralyze another human being…
• It is a deep wound, not a superficial scratch…
» Physical wounds heal over time. Usually there are stitches, some medication, pain relievers, or ointments that help the heal the wound.
» But no such pain relievers can take away the pain of thoughtless words.
• It takes a long time to heal… unlike the scratch…
» Physical wounds heal much quicker than wounds on the inside… wounds that are inflicted because of rash speech.
» Some people live with the burden of thoughtless words all their lives…
» Like a sword, thoughtless words can leave scars that don’t ever go away.
» You can forgive a person for rash words… but that doesn’t mean you will ever forget it.
» Long after the argument is over—or the harsh words are ended, those words continue to echo in the back of your mind…
• It has long lasting effects; it takes one second to stab someone; it takes a long time to heal.
» Think of that before you speak. You can cause weeks—even years of hurt—by one harsh word, thoughtlessly and rashly spoken.
• It cannot be reversed; once you stab someone, you can’t take it back or undo it.
» After you stab someone, you can pull the sword out and promise not to do it again—but that doesn’t change anything. They’re still stabbed!
» We can say cruel things thoughtless, and WISH we didn’t later… but our repentance doesn’t make the hurt go away.
» Once you say it, you can’t ever really take it back. You can’t un-ring the bell.
» You can apologize — and they can forgive you… but you still said it… and the person still remembers… and it still hurts.
» How much better not to stab someone in the first place!

6. This kind of rash speech makes life miserable…

a. In the home…
• Sometimes parents say the harshest, cruelest things to their children… without even thinking of the effects of their words.
» Don’t ever call your child stupid… useless… good for nothing…
» You may say it without thinking—but those wounds could last a lifetime.
» You won’t stab them with a sword would you? Then don’t stab them with your mouth!
• Sometimes spouses use their speech to tear into their mate.
» Married couples can inflict such misery upon their spouses… and in turn, upon themselves by a careless use of the tongue.
» Arguing is like throwing knives at each other. It is a similar kind of battle…
» You can use your tongue to constantly hurt… throw barbs… use words as a dig… designed to hurt…
» Why live that way? Lot’s of couples decide enough is enough. I can’t take this kind of abuse any more. I’ve had it with being pierced and stabbed every day.
» I don’t blame them one bit for saying “I’ve had it.”
» Unfortunately, too often couples get divorced because they are worn out and emotionally exhausted and wounded from all the thoughtless speech…
» How much better to put an end to the thoughtless speech rather than putting an end to the relationship!
» Don’t live that way. It’s too hard. It’s too painful.
• Sometimes church members can use their speech as a sword… to harm, pierce, and stab others in the back.
» Thoughtless speech in the home can result in divorce.
» Thoughtless speech in the church can result in division…

7. The answer to rash, thoughtless speech is slow, thoughtful, careful speech.

a. Prov.17:27-28 – a man of understanding carefully chooses his words; uses words sparingly; He thinks first—and after thinking, realizes that much of what he COULD have said is better left unsaid.

b. Prov. 15:28 – it is wise to STUDY to answer… don’t just blurt things out without thinking. THINK before you speak.

c. Col. 4:6 – the answer to rash, harsh, biting speech is grace!

d. James 1:19 – be swift to hear; slow to speak; slow to wrath…