And empty bank account is usually a clear indication of financial problems.

Well, in the same way, empty words reveal spiritual poverty. Today on Truth for Life weekend,

we're in a series called Wise Words. Alistair Begg is teaching from chapter 13 in the book of Proverbs.

We're looking today at verse 3.

The use of words that are harmful not only divides people and destroys praise,

but it diminishes the progress of the people of God. Three things never come back.

The Spent Arrow, the Spoken Word, and the Lost Opportunity.

The Spent Arrow, the Spoken Word, and the Lost Opportunity.

You see how quickly we can destroy a friendship, decimate a relationship, crush the spirit of someone?

With just this little 3 inch by 5 inch piece of mucus membrane that all of us have stuck in here hidden behind our teeth.

Very uncomfortable, isn't it? I find it so.

So let's turn to the positive side. See if that's a little better.

How about using words to help? Using words to help.

If the speech of a scoundrel is like a scorching fire, then the mouth of the righteous says Solomon is like a fountain of life.

Wonderful picture, isn't it?

Scorching fire, burning everything in its way,

fountain of life, people love to come to it and be refreshed.

Or the healing tongue, he says, is like a tree of life.

Reminding us that the power of the tongue may be employed to encourage, to affirm, to enrich, to reconcile,

to forgive, to unite, to smooth, to bless, add a verb, pick a verb, any verb.

These words are described in graphic terms in Proverbs.

Scribed as lovely earrings which would be an adornment for the wearer.

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