Vol. 04, No. 11

Mt. Baker Beacon - 2025

Steven J. Wallace
03/23/25 - Mt. Baker Beacon - 2025

THOUGHTFUL SPEECH
Steven J. Wallace

“The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil” (Prov. 15:28).¹

God created mankind with the ability to exercise the mind by forming thoughts and ideas. Humans alone can express and communicate these thoughts in discernible words. Yet, with any great ability comes great responsibility. The sacred writers emphasize the need for thoughtful speech.

The heart of the righteous studies how to answer (Prov. 15:28). With speech there is always the danger of saying something injurious. There is the danger of communicating a message that is corrupt and contemptible. There is the possibility of speaking in a way that betrays what is true and promotes what is false. Therefore, the heart—or mind—of a righteous person will deliberate, meditate, and formulate a proper response.

The heart of the wise teaches his mouth (Prov. 16:23).

The inspired sage observed in Proverbs 15:2, “The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.” This implies that knowledge can be misused. How so?

To deceive – Twisting facts or the Scriptures to manipulate others.
To boast – Some may use knowledge as a vehicle for pride. Knowledge can puff up while love tempers it to edify (1 Cor. 8:1).
To harm – Using knowledge as a weapon to belittle, control, or slander a weakness in another. Simply because we know something doesn’t mean we should repeat it. Proverbs 12:18 says, “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health.” Do I use words like a butcher or a surgeon—to destroy or to help?
To justify sin – One can use knowledge to rationalize sin and excuse wrongdoing. “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil…” (Isa. 5:20).
To argue over foolish disputes – “But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife” (2 Tim. 2:23). Certainly, not all disputes are foolish, but all ignorant disputes without a productive purpose are.

The inspired apostle charges in Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

Jesus also warned in Matthew 12:36, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”

Thoughtful speech is in contrast to rash talk. Rash lips proved dangerous enough to keep Moses out of the Promised Land (Psalm 106:32-33). Rash and foolish speech will also keep us from reaching our goal of being with Jesus in eternity.

“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (Jas. 1:19).

SENTENCE SERMON: “All people make mistakes; that’s why they put erasers on pencils.”

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“PHOEBE”

Romans 16:1, 2

“A good ____________ is to be chosen rather than great ____________, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22:1)

What does the name “Phoebe” mean?
What qualities of Phoebe, as described in Romans 16:1-2, make her an example for us to appreciate and follow?

What is associated with these other women mentioned in Romans 16?	Passage &	Good Work
Priscilla	Romans 16:3-5
Mary	Romans 16:6
Junia	Romans 16:7
Rufus’ Mother	Romans 16:13

Fill in the chart below.

THOUGHT QUESTION: How can we determine that Phoebe was not a deacon in the official sense, but rather a servant of the church in a general capacity?

REPENTANCE

2 Corinthians 7:8-10

Does God's Word leave us wondering what repentance is?
List some examples of what repentance is NOT:
What does Ezekiel 18:19-32 imply about God's character?
What are 4 main elements of repentance?
When should I repent?
List 3 reasons why I must repent:

“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands ____________ men everywhere to ____________, because He has appointed a day on which He will ____________ the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30, 31)