SAVORY SPEECH

“The wise in heart are called discerning, and savory speech promotes instruction. Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the correction of fools is folly.”

-Proverbs 16:21-22

🔎Reflection: Discernment is essential for navigating life skillfully. That’s the biblical definition of wisdom. Wisdom is not merely intellectual understanding, but a divine gift that aligns our hearts with God’s will through the revelation of His WORD. Proverbs 16:21-22 teaches that discernment, prudence, discretion, good sense, or insight (Hebrew word שֶׂכֶל) is a well-spring of life, while the correction of fools is not merely a waste of time, but folly (Hebrew אִוֶּֽלֶת). 

Korah’s rebellion (Numbers 16) was a direct result of his rejection of God. It manifested in a life ripe with wickedness, pride, arrogance, and ignorance. Korah rejected the wisdom, instruction, and God-ordained leadership of Moses, and in doing so, he brought about not only his own downfall, but that of countless thousands who followed him.

David (1 Sam 24), in stark contrast, demonstrated wisdom when he spared Saul’s life. Despite having the opportunity to kill Saul, David waited patiently on the LORD. David’s actions were guided by the Holy Spirit and manifested as wisdom, patience, understanding, peace, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, and self-control. David didn’t just say he trusted the LORD; he submitted and surrendered to God’s timing and will. David’s life demonstrates that true wisdom is, in fact, a fountain of life, while Korah exposes the devastating consequences for those who refuse to heed God’s correction.

🤺Action: Reflect on your decisions this past week, month, and year. Invite the Holy Spirit to examine your heart and motives without trying to justify or rationalize them. What decisions expose no fear of the LORD (Pr 1:7)? What decisions have you made out of your flesh rather than by faith? Where does the WORD of God illuminate the sin of folly in operating out of the selfish motives and your own agenda rather than in God's wisdom for His glory? The biblical prescription is always immediate repentance. Not worldly sorrow that leads to death, but godly sorrow that leads to life (2 Cor 7:10). Repent. Submit. Worship in spirit and truth. It’s not about a commitment to do better or be better; it’s about being born again by grace through faith in Christ Jesus through the supernatural regeneration by the Holy Spirit. 

When that happens, we don’t have to try harder to be anything. We simply follow King Jesus’ life-giving prescription, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow Me.” Submission and surrender are the action items that lead to understanding, the wellspring of life. Choose to allow the Holy Spirit of God to sit on the throne of your heart today. Invite Him to manifest in divine wisdom. Allow His fruit to be produced in and through your abiding in Christ in every season, because apart from that, King Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” Allow God’s objective, sufficient, and inerrant WORD to guide you. Don’t just be open to the LORD’s correction, crave it, seek it as one seeks for hidden treasure!

🙏Prayer: Father, thank You for the wisdom You freely give to those who ask. King Jesus, You are the perfect wisdom of God, and I seek Your guidance today. Holy Spirit, lead me into understanding and discernment, and help me to be and act in ways that honor You. Amen.

Click the following link for a short video version of today's devotional https://youtube.com/shorts/p4YqWjVPE20?feature=shared

Blessings & love,

Kevin M. Kelley

Pastor

BigIslandChristian.Church