Excellent Spirit Equals Perfect Words

“He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.” (Pr 17:27 AV)

 

The word for excellent actually comes from two words.  The first meaning valuable, priceless, or pure.  The second meaning is cold or cool, calm, self-possessed.  The first meaning speaks to the quality of spirit and the later the nature of it.  There is a relationship between the quality and nature of the spirit, and the use of words.  The relationship between knowledge and spirit here is inseparable.  What stands out to this writer is the nature and quality of spirit which the wise speaker possesses.  He is of an excellent spirit.  His personality is under control.  The speaker with an excellent spirit is one who is cool, calm, and self-collected.  He is not a man of uncontrolled passions and emotions.  He holds them well in check.  The reason is, he knows what damage can be done will ill-spoken words.  He knows if he says something that does not need to be said, lives can be changed for the worse and not for the better.  He knows words are powerful things and should not be used without discipline and purpose.  The man with knowledge weighs his words before he uses them because once they are spoken, they cannot be retracted.

When we meet someone like the one described above, we are almost always impressed.  We stand amazed that he or she knows just what to say when to say it, and when to be quiet.  We admire their wisdom and the fact they never seem to offend a soul.  They may not have a ton of friends, but they have very few enemies.  Someone like this can meet a total stranger and by the end of their brief conversation, walk away having blessed someone’s day.  Someone like this is like that fella at a marathon who hands out water as the runners pass by.  Hardly noticed until water is needed, but everyone is so glad he is there to pass out the refreshments.  The person that knows less is better is not the first to be invited to a party, but he is never the last.  Unobtrusive in his presence, he mingles not necessarily looking for a conversation, but not rejecting one if someone speaks to him.  He is more attentive to his demeanor and facial expressions than he is trying to give his two cents.  He walks among the busy in a spirit that tells others that life is good and there is always something nice to say.  His silence is his wisdom.  Not always understood, they assume he is shy or unlearned.  Or, others may assume he simply does not care nor wishes to engage because others may come to expect something from him.  He is seen as a wallflower, and not someone of immediate profit to others.  He is not the life of the party.  But he is also not the end of one either.

If we have trouble with words, the problem is deeper than our tongues.  If we cannot seem to say the right thing at the right time, it isn’t because we are unlearned.  If the wrong things come out, it isn’t because our minds couldn’t think of something else to say.  If we are struggling to minister effectively with words, one must not search anywhere else but the spirit.  The spirit controls what comes forth from the tongue.  The spirit that is cool, calm, and self-controlled will think before he or she speaks.  They will think of the consequences of words and the goal of those words.  Here is the idea to consider today.  Perhaps before we use our tongues, we can ask ourselves if we have an excellent spirit.  This is an operation of the Holy Spirit.  This is not something we can accomplish in our own strength or by our own effort.  The Holy Spirit is the only one who can change us from the inside out.  What we need to ask ourselves is: do we want that excellent spirit? Do we want a spirit that is prized about all else because it is under control and exercised in a deliberate and God-honoring way?  It starts there.  If we can attain that excellent spirit, then effective ministry of words will be the result.