Proverbs 15:4

Proverbs 15:4 Proverbs

Pastor Martin expounds Proverbs 15:4, contrasting a gentle tongue with a perverse one. He emphasizes that while physical violence can break bones, a perverse tongue can break the human spirit, a far more destructive outcome. Martin applies this truth to family relationships, urging parents to admonish their children regarding the use of their tongues and to use the rod of correction when admonition fails to prevent spiritual harm to others.

2 illustrations in this sermon

The Destructive Power of a Perverse Tongue

compare analogy

Tongue vs. Strap and Rod

Driving home: a gentle tongue is a tree of life but perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit

Martin compares the tongue's power to a strap and a rod, explaining that while physical instruments can break skin and bones, only the tongue can break the human spirit, demonstrating its unique and profound destructive capability.

chapter 15 verse 4 a gentle tongue is a tree of life but perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit look at the last part of the verse the first part is very parallel to the soft after turns away wrath but look at the negative perverseness therein that is perverseness in the use of the tongue is a breaking of the spirit you see the tongue can do what the widest strap and the thickest rod cannot do a strap and a rod can break a man's skin or a man's bones but they can't break his spirit there are times when men have been beaten within an inch of their death and their spirits have stood ta...

0:00 - 1:28 Read in full sermon

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Stephen's Noble Spirit

Driving home: a gentle tongue is a tree of life but perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit

Martin uses the example of Stephen's martyrdom to illustrate a noble spirit that remained unbroken despite severe physical abuse, highlighting the contrast with how a perverse tongue can indeed break a spirit.

chapter 15 verse 4 a gentle tongue is a tree of life but perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit look at the last part of the verse the first part is very parallel to the soft after turns away wrath but look at the negative perverseness therein that is perverseness in the use of the tongue is a breaking of the spirit you see the tongue can do what the widest strap and the thickest rod cannot do a strap and a rod can break a man's skin or a man's bones but they can't break his spirit there are times when men have been beaten within an inch of their death and their spirits have stood ta...

0:00 - 1:28 Read in full sermon

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