Haste makes waste.

OK, time for some quibbling. Tuesday Solomon's critique of people who speak rash words was the order of the day (reference Proverbs 12:18). They were defined as words spoken without consideration of the outcomes they would produce. You know the type, thoughtless words that catch the receiver of them off-guard. These words inflict injury like the thrusting of a sword, sudden and provocative. Today, let's consider Solomon's advice about hasty words, those that are transmitted with speed as the motive. His wise and inspired thought could certainly influence much of the disturbing blather today on social media and other news sources---

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 29: 20, ESV

In this instance, the Hebrew word translated hasty depicts language that is spoken by someone who likes to be first in the comments section. In some ways rash words and hasty words are similar in that they are both quickly delivered. Rash words give no thought to their impact on a situation. Hasty words are usually transmitted with at least one thought in mind. The speaker wants the distinction of being recognized as a first responder to the issues under consideration. Today, hasty words generate fake news, false information, twisted facts, and defamation of character, to mention a few possible outcomes. Being quick on the draw, spontaneous, uninhibited in verbal mastery is so often considered assets in the language department. But, Scripture warns of being hasty with our words and most actions.

The big picture of Proverbs is God's contrast of folly and wisdom. Many verses depict the thoughts and actions of fools as compared to the influence of a person seeking wisdom. In the broadest sense the fool is portrayed as shallow and empty, void of knowledge or understanding, a person in love with his thoughts and words. Through the entire book the fool is depicted as arrogant, reckless in thoughts and actions, irresponsible and quarrelsome. Foolish people are to be identified and avoided because they actually contribute little to the world around them. In his Proverb about hasty words, Solomon concludes that "...there will be more hope for a fool than for him". It's a very dismal assessment. Hasty words make someone worse than a fool.

Hasty words are usually precursors to hasty actions. And, you know the old saying---haste makes waste! It's because speed isn't the solution to most life complications. There are times when reality strikes and our responses should be quick and timely. Imagine where we would be today if the first evidences of Covid-19 had prompted more immediate medical research. Undue slowness isn't always a benefit either. Then again, there's the truth about hasty words. They aren't usually spoken to remedy something troublesome. Hasty words are about the person speaking them, their egocentric need for recognition, their motive for personal advancement.

In the Christian worldview, hasty words, as understood in this context, violate the basic precepts of the Christian faith. Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24, ESV). Speaking hastily to draw attention to self is certainly not self-denial. Also, we must remember what James wrote about our speaking habits---"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak.." (James 1:9, ESV).

Slow to speak. Haste makes waste.

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Hard is not harsh.

Sooner or later we all must speak hard words to another human. Whether disciplining our children, evaluating an employee, speaking truth to a friend, or correcting the property line with the guy next door, life circumstances often demand tough, straight-forward, on-point language. Communicating truth to another person will always be difficult, more so when the other person is wandering through a la-la land of error. We must exercise genuine caution and wisdom here, however. There's a thin line of discernment when hard words are necessary. It's that vague, usually invisible marker that separates hard words from harsh words. How often we cross it and inflict injury rather than understanding. And, of course, harsh words seem to be the order of the day right now.

Solomon was inspired to give his sons wise counsel in their use of language. As a sinful man he had no doubt heard and used many harsh words. His personal conduct was a source of dismay to the people around him. In addition, his rule of Israel often departed from God's purpose and direction. Again, he heard many critical and abrasive comments about his governance of the nation. From personal experience and God's instruction he learned the counterpoint of truthful language, words that produced results far from understanding and reason. So, he wrote---

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15: 1, ESV

What are these harsh words? Many other Bible versions translate harsh as grievous. They are words that are severe, provocative, mean-spirited, sorrowful, and oppressive. Harsh words demean the person receiving them, usually inflame the situation under question, and rarely communicate truth regarding the circumstances that occasioned the conversation in the first place. In most cases this language swerves around the discipline, evaluation, truth, or correction needed and attacks the person instead. It aggravates rather than solves.

And, that's pretty much the deal right now. This uncertain and unpredictable virus has forced government officials to issue edicts thought to be in the best interest of our citizens, decisions for the common good. Churches, athletic events, group meetings, retail establishments, and even medical facilities have realigned their hours and work procedures in submission to the recommended standards. And, they're being bombarded by the harsh words of many among us.

In the broadest manner Solomon always advised words of wisdom and forethought, words empty of wrath, anger, and severe criticism. Sure, everybody has an opinion and we usually express it without hesitancy. Our opinions, however, are often unschooled in the realities of the situation. Our answers are often harsh. We should know, however, that even the worst things can be communicated with generosity and kindness.

The truth is, hard words don't have to be harsh. And, that's a spiritual discipline so often missing in contemporary communication, the ability to speak truth without being nasty about it. Far too often secularism produces this kind of uncaring, inconsiderate, and disgusting language. It's even worse when transmitted by professing believers in church activity. What a shame!

Yes, every one of us will have to speak hard words to someone. But, they don't have to be harsh. When they are harsh, the say more about the speaker than any error evident in the receiver.

Hard should never be harsh.

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Rash words.

Solomon used the word rash several times when giving counsel to his sons. He wasn't addressing skin inflammations or bodily eruptions resulting from exposure to irritants. He was specifically identifying the verbal miscalculation of speaking in a thoughtless, impetuous manner. Rash words use indiscreet language usually motivated by emotional impulses. They are spoken in anger, disappointment, failure, passion, happiness or any other feeling that ignites our responsiveness. His description of rash words is portrayed, as is much of his advice, with very graphic and descriptive language---

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings

healing.

Proverbs 12: 18, ESV

Several conclusions are obvious in his verbiage. One, like a sword thrust, rash words are unexpected and dangerous to the one receiving them. Now, I've never been in a fencing match and don't understand the posture, footwork and discipline of attacking and parrying. But, outside the martial arts and scripted fencing maneuvers, the sword thrust of Solomon's day would have been instantaneous responses to being attacked, moves in preservation of self. Like the sword thrust, rash words catch the receiver of them off-guard. And, they can be deadly.

Two, rash words are outside the scope of wisdom in that they have not been previously thought or prepared. Usually they are spoken in the heat of the moment, an outburst triggered by an emotional outburst, an instant response. In the third place, Solomon indicated that words spoken in an ill-advised, foolhardy manner are designed to injure, hurt, or destroy rather than heal. They are unschooled and are therefore uttered without preparation or consideration.

In the book of Ecclesiastes Solomon noted Israel's history of speaking rash words to their Creator God. There were numerous occasions in their past when the people of Israel responded to God's discipline with promises and commitments they could not keep. One instance was under the leadership of Joshua as they prepared to enter the Land of Promise (see Joshua 24). Joshua challenged them to serve the Lord and obey him as they occupied the land God had promised to Abraham. In response to his urging they swore to serve and obey God (see Joshua 24: 16; 21; 24). Of course, the Book of Judges repeatedly proves that their promises were rash words, spoken under the stress of their circumstances. They did evil in the sight of the Lord and served other gods. So, in Ecclesiastes he wrote---

Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God,

for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

Ecclesiastes 5:2, ESV

How often life circumstances are the catalysts for us to blurt our rash words, even to God! As mentioned by Solomon wisdom should bracket our words. At times a wise spirit will dictate silence rather than an explosion of words without thought, rash words that further complicate an emotional situation. It certainly is the case in today's fake news culture, especially visible in social media right now. The Covid-19 pandemic, political maneuvering, cultural dynamics, economic trends, gender discussions, and so many other current news items have the fire to inflame our verbal machinery. Rash words should not be our response to them.

This is a hard one for me, I must confess. My personal strength array places deliberative and analytical at the very bottom. Wisely thinking through my words isn't an automatic setting for me. Meaning, that I should be patient and thoughtful when replying to the various stimuli of every day. And, prayerful too. Prudence is the cure for rash words and actions.

Let's pray for caution in our language. Rash words seldom solve anything.

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