TeaTime Devotional June 29th, 2025

Written By:  Melody Jessie

Scripture: Proverbs 31:26 (NLT)

When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness

Testify:

I grew up in a house with a strong father. What he said is what he said, and we were not allowed to have an opinion. If daddy said it, that’s how it is going to go, and you just have to deal with it and keep pushing. Because of my upbringing I found myself bowing to others with strong personalities, and I often kept silent about things I should have spoken up about. I was the opposite of this verse. Unlearned with little to no wisdom. I have to admit I wasn’t kind at times, downright mean and hateful, but then I met the father, he taught me how to be this woman in Proverbs 31:26.

Edify:

This verse lets us see into the heart of this women. The first thing I noticed in the character of her speech is wisdom. The wording seems to suggest that she was silent, but wisdom often pushed its way through; she has too much wisdom to be easily contained, it overwhelms everything within her, and when she speaks, it’s wisdom that comes out. It’s not that she is domineering, demanding, or commanding; wise speech is rarely those things, especially from someone subordinate to someone else. She can share knowledge, and speaks with wisdom, she says the right thing in the right way at the right time.  Whether it’s to her husband, children, neighbors, or whoever would be wise to listen. The second characteristic of her speech is kindness. Many people think that they are justified in being unkind. They can say what they need to get their way because they are sure they are wise and right. So, their tongue becomes sharp and cutting. They often get their way but hurt the people around them in the process. But not this woman.  She personifies and exemplifies kindness; it is a law to her.  Wisdom and kindness are the guideline in which she lives and speaks.  Since this is a law, circumstance and people do not alter the use of her words.

Apply:

Under pressure, running late, feeling stressed, the other person is not nice. Let's not allow these things to stop us from being kind. It’s not that we have to agree with everyone or approve of what everyone does. Let’s not sink to petty insults or demeaning words or tones; let's reinforce the positive, encourage, and affirm. We will speak kindly, for this is the law of the tongue.