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Proverbs 15:28 - The Grace of Thoughtful Speech.

Proverbs 15:28 (NIV) The heart of the 
righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the 
wicked gushes evil. 

COMMENTARY PEARL

Tact
   Wisely labeled "the saving virtue," tact 
graces life like fragrance graces a rose. One whiff 
erases any memory of the thorns. It's remarkable 
how peaceful and pleasant tact can make us. Its 
major goal is avoiding unnecessary offense, and 
that alone ought to make us crave it. Its basic 
function is a keen sense of what to say or do in 
order to maintain the truth and good 
relationships, and that alone ought to make us cultivate 
it. Tact is incessantly appropriate, invariably 
attractive, incurably appealing, but rare  oh, is it 
rare! 
   Remember the teacher who lacked tact? 
Each morning you wondered if that was the day 
you'd be singled out and embarrassed by some 
public put-down. Remember the boss who lacked tact? 
You never knew if he ever understood you or 
considered you to be a valuable person. And who could 
forget that tactless physician? You weren't a human 
being; you were Case Number thirty-six. 
   But the classic example of tactless 
humanity, I'm ashamed to declare, is the abrasive 
Christian (so-called) who feels it his or her calling 
to fight for the truth with little or no regard 
for the other fella's feelings. Of course, this 
is supposedly done in the name of the Lord - 
"to do anything less would be compromise and 
counterfeit." 
   This person's favorite modus operandi is 
either to overlook or openly demean others. 
Unfortunately, some preachers are the greatest offenders. 
They seem to delight in developing a devastating 
pulpit that scourges rather than encourages, that 
blasts rather than builds. 
   "The heart of the righteous ponders how 
to answer," writes Solomon. "A gentle answer 
turns away wrath," said he. "The tongue of the 
wise makes knowledge acceptable," he adds. "The 
tongue of the wise brings healing," and "A man has 
joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a 
timely word!" (see Prov. 15:28, 1, 2; 12:18; 
15:23). 
   No facts need be subtracted when tact is 
added, by the way. Years ago, I used to sell shoes. 
My seasoned employer, with a twinkle in his 
eye, instructed me never to say, "Lady, your foot 
is too big for this shoe!" I was taught to say, 
instead, "I'm sorry, but this shoe is just a little 
too small for your foot." Both statements 
expressed the facts, but one was insulting while the 
other was tactful. 
   It didn't shrink her foot, but it did 
save her face  and that's what tact is all 
about. 
   Look for an opportunity today to bring 
healing through a tactful answer. 
   Tact is incessantly appropriate, 
invariably attractive, incurably appealing, but  oh, 
is it rare! [Chuck Swindoll www.insight.org.] 

COMMENTARY

The good man thinks over what he is about to 
say, not only that it may prove the more helpful, 
but lest in haste he should say something that 
would hurt another. [SDA Bible Commentary] 

The righteous his tongue never runs before 
his wit; he never speaks rashly, and never 
unadvisedly; because he studies-- ponders, his thoughts 
and his words. (Adam Clarke Commentary) 

A righteous person weighs (carefully muses 
on or considers) his answers before giving them 
rather than blurting out the first thing that comes 
to his mind. That way his words are more 
appropriate and timely. [Bible Knowledge Commentary] 

Think through what you say that it may be 
with grace.  (Matthew Henry's Commentary mod) 

Caution is the fruit of wisdom; rashness is 
the fruit of folly. [Jamieson, Fausset, and 
Brown Commentary] 

   Thinking beforehand will help us to speak 
and act wisely. The righteous weigh their 
answers; the wicked dont wait to speak because 
they dont care about the effects of their 
words. It is important to have something to say, 
but it is equally important to weigh it first. 
Do you carefully plan your words, or do you 
pour out your thoughts without concern for their 
impact?  
   It is vital to think also before acting, 
to consider the effects of our choices. Think 
of your plans for today and consider what their 
long-range results will be. As we deal with others, we 
should keep these principles in mind. We should act 
responsibly and justly with all people"friends and 
enemies alike. [Life Application SB] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Colossians 4:6 - Speaking with Grace 
Seasoned with Salt. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20180428-1514.html 

James 1:19 - Are You Listening?

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20211111-0842.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Steps to Peace by Billy Graham: 
https://stepstopeace.org/ 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study 
Guides: 
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible 

Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/  

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657