Week Sixteen, 2026

“Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.” – Proverbs 10:19

Wisdom tells us when to speak and when to remain silent. It’s better to bite your tongue than to bite your brother. The mouth of the wicked pours out bad thoughts. The timing of your speech is important. Even a fool who stays quiet is considered wise.

Watch what you say. Speaking the right way is pleasing to the Lord. Don’t throw gasoline on the fire. It’s important to say what is right, but it also matters how you say it. Your words should be graceful. Your content and your delivery should reflect the God we serve.

We need to watch the fruit of our speech. Every word is like a seed that can bring life or death. Before we speak, we should ask ourselves what those words will do. Words can change lives. Be gracious and kind. Words don’t just communicate; they shape things. Be pure in your speech and your delivery. Jesus cleared our hearts by becoming flesh and coming to rescue us. Ask yourself: whose voice does my voice sound like most this week? Is it God’s or the devil’s?

Our hearts are like a spring with two reservoirs. One stores wisdom from “above,” and the other stores wisdom from the “earth.” When we don’t think before we speak, and when we aren’t slow to speak and quick to listen, the floodgates of earthly wisdom burst open. Then, evil thoughts gush out through the tongue and burn everything in their path.

When a person is the master of his tongue, his heart doesn’t harbor evil. Instead, it stores wisdom from above. That is how the tongue can be tamed! – Stephen Bernard

The tongue just reproduces what it’s told. It is only an agent, like a robot. Just as a horse moves with a bridle or a ship with a rudder, a person’s thoughts drive the tongue for good or for evil.

Sometimes True Stories

Loneliness is everywhere. According to a 2023 Surgeon General report, it impacts more than 50% of all U.S. adults. People feel cut off and alienated, and they often lash out for small reasons. Being in a crowd just makes people more aware of their isolation. We all need friends who’ll stick close, listen carefully, and offer help when it’s needed. If we’re lucky enough to find a few good friends as we pass through life, we’re blessed. Matthew 7:12 says, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” Life is a challenge, and it’s important to treat others as you want to be treated. Seek godly people because they’ll be with you in good times and bad. — Tony Ferguson

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A Gallup poll showed that U.S. adults are rating their mental health at the lowest point in over 20 years. Less than one-third consider themselves to be in excellent mental health, and almost one-quarter are seeking professional help.

So, where do we go for help? Since even mental health professionals fall within those statistics, they might need help too. Can the blind really lead the blind?

Why not go to the One who we know is always anxiety-free? He’s always available and always willing. You know who I’m getting at. God created us. God can fix us. He even gave us a guidebook for fixing things. Go to Him through His Word. — Rich Jensen

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We can avoid tragic mistakes by doing two things:

Quotes You Can Use

Faith—not the faith in seeking after we want, but the faith in God as we seek after what He desires for us. No matter what we face or go through, that faith in the never-changing character of God always leads us to say, “It is Well with My Soul.” — Scott Whitaker

The future is always brighter when you know you have hope and there is no brighter hope in the universe than the light of God.

No matter what tomorrow brings, God is ready to hold and protect us.

One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries.

If you want a powerful spiritual experience, go to the beach and pick up a handful of sand. Every grain of sand represents God’s thoughts concerning you.

While sports fans can cite their favorite teams’ comebacks, no one in history has ever made a more shocking comeback than when Jesus got up out of that grave! — Dwight Short

God’s plan for your situation may seem peculiar. And you may even be reluctant to try it. Obey the impressions of God upon your heart. — Dan Shock

A lot of problems in life can be avoided by not giving in to those who would draw us into wrongdoing. So often those who have decided to do something sinful want to draw others into their sinful actions so they will make themselves feel better. — Tony Ferguson

God expects us to do our best and then commit the rest.

God isn’t interested in mere lip service, though that’s what most people offer to Him.

We often get upset because we think someone is getting away with evil deeds. But sooner or later, their sins will catch up with them. — Dan Shock

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