Stunning Wisdom in the Age of the Internet

Welcome to another Thursday UNFILTERED blog post, the only blog that is amused when the pastor says you should have the same passion for church that you do for the Super Bowl. That, of course, means screaming at him if he fumbles his words during the sermon.

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Mrs. V. and I have been reading a short segment of the Proverbs in the evenings. And here’s the deal: Proverbs is basically a masterclass in communication that’ll make your modern internet-addled brain sit up and take notes.

Proverbs is filled with wisdom that hammers home this brutal truth about words: they’re not just sounds coming out of your mouth. They’re weapons.

Yes, words are powerful, razor-sharp instruments that can build people up or tear them down faster than you can hit “send” on your smart phone.

In the age of endless digital noise where everyone’s got an opinion and a platform, these ancient wisdom drops from Proverbs are more relevant than ever. And they are also stunning in their sharpness and practicality.

We’re all broadcasting constantly on social media, texts, and blog comments, but how many of us are actually thinking about the impact of our words?

Proverbs doesn’t exist to coddle you. It’s here to tell you straight that your words matter.

They reveal who we are. They shape our relationships, and they can be an instrument of healing or destruction.

In a world where we can speak to millions with a single post, that’s not just advice. It’s a wake-up call for you and me.

Here’s a sampling of what I’m talking about followed by a summarized list.

Proverbs 10:18 – “Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.”

Proverbs 11:9 – “With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.”

Proverbs 11:12 – “Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.”

Proverbs 11:13 – “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”

Proverbs 12:18 – “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

Proverbs 12:25 – “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”

Proverbs 13:3 – “Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will be destroyed.”

Proverbs 15:1 – “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Proverbs 16:21 – “The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.”

Proverbs 16:24 – “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

Proverbs 16:28 – “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”

Proverbs 17:4 – “A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.”

Proverbs 17:20 – “One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.”

Proverbs 18:2 – “Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.”

Proverbs 18:8 – “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.”

Proverbs 18:13 – “To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.”

Proverbs 18:17 – “Any story sounds true until someone sets the record straight. “

Proverbs 19:5 – “A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.”

Proverbs 20:19 – “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.”

Proverbs 21:23 – “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”

Proverbs 24:28 – “Do not testify against your neighbor without cause— would you use your lips to mislead?”

Proverbs 25:18 – “Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.”

Proverbs 26:20 – “Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.”

Proverbs 29:20 – “Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.”

Here are key lessons from Proverbs regarding what we say and write (as well as type or text):

• Words Have Real Power: Your online comments, posts, and messages can heal or harm, build up or destroy relationships.
• Think Before You Post: Pause and consider the impact of your words before sharing, commenting, or responding.
• Gossip and Slander Destroy: Spreading rumors, sharing private information, or engaging in online character assassination separates people and damages trust. It also grieves the Holy Spirit and invites God’s discipline into your life.
• Listen More, Talk Less: Many online conflicts arise from people eager to broadcast their opinions without truly understanding others.
• Wisdom is Rare: Thoughtful, constructive communication is increasingly valuable in an age of quick, reactive digital interactions.
• Emotional Intelligence Matters: Gracious, kind words can defuse tension, while harsh language escalates conflicts.
• Truth Matters: Lying, false testimony, and deliberate misinformation – or passing on negative information that you haven’t vetted with the person you’re talking about – has serious consequences, both spiritually and socially.
• Self-Control is Critical: The ability to restrain yourself from immediate, impulsive responses is a mark of spiritual maturity.

A Caution About Application

“Like all Scripture, it’s a mistake to reduce these teachings to mere rules to be followed through human effort.

We no longer live under the Old Covenant with its external laws, but under the New Covenant where the Holy Spirit guides and empowers us to live out God’s Word.

Therefore, before speaking or sending a post or message, pause to listen to the Spirit’s guidance. When you walk in step with the Spirit rather than the flesh, your words—whether spoken, typed, or written—will naturally reflect the wisdom of Proverbs concerning your speech.

The Spirit will check, nudge, restrain, and/or prompt us. That is, if we’re sensitive to the Spirit’s leading.

So whenever you see Christians berating, disparaging, trashing, defaming other Christians—which are all forms of abuse—the Spirit clearly is not in charge of that person’s life.