Joel M Bradshaw

32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.–Proverbs 10

I had many international friends in college. I marveled at their cultures and languages. Being immature, I learned from some of my guy friends how to say some bad words in a couple of those languages. Sadly, I remember those words and their meanings to this day.

So I resolved to remember different words as I moved forward. Whenever I encounter a new language, I ask how to say ‘thank you’. I collect ‘thank you’ in as many languages as I can now. I know around 30 thank you’s by my count. Living in Chicagoland, I get much opportunity to practice saying thank you in different languages. It always brings a smile.

Solomon’s point here is that the wicked man knows how to tear somebody down with his words. The righteous man knows how to bless. Within me, I have the ability to do both. So do you. Stay diligent about the right things, my friends.

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. (James 3:10)–JMB