Speak Life by Vanessa Wynder Quainoo

Speak Life: The Blessing of Speaking to Bless Others

By Vanessa Wynder Quainoo

 I read this book twice in one sitting. When I got to page 207, I turned back to the Introduction and read the entire book again. Granted, the print is rather large and the line spacing is double, so it was quite easy to read. That being given, the concepts were not easy. When I finished the second time, I gave it to my husband and he read the entire book the same day.

 

 The reason the concepts weren’t easy is because what Professor Quainoo shares is completely different from every book I’ve read up until now. When I saw the title, I thought it would be another “say it and claim it” type of book that I’ve read many times before. Professor Quainoo’s material comes from a whole different place. First of all, she’s been a communications instructor for over twenty years, so she knows about words and their value. More importantly, she presents communication itself as a gift from God, and she encourages us to fine-tune our words for the purpose of affirming who we are in God and building each other up as well.

 

 Although the title is Speak Life, and much of the book has to do with affirming the truth of Scripture…I am redeemed. I am whole in Christ. I am healed in Christ… (page 66), a large portion of the book is what not to say.

 

One of the concepts that spoke directly to me is how she compares our prayers to God to the deliberations of a jury. The jury is not allowed to discuss the case with their friends and family. Professor Quainoo shared her experience as an official mediator in a conflict. She was given strict instructions to suspend any communication about the topic to any outsiders, only to say, “we are talking about it” or “we are expecting an agreeable solution” (page 96). She continued, (on page 97) “when we are praying through a situation with the Lord, we are in “deliberation” with Him. We are in “talks” with Him and we really should not say words that cast doubt on the plausibility of a solution.”

 

 Professor Quainoo concedes that not all words are beneficial. Some words are used for tearing down, not building up. She admonishes us to not use our words (or agreement with someone else’s words) to bring confusion to the church or to belittle our pastor.

 

“Complaints, critical barbs and jabs or even sophisticated expressions of doubt and despair should not be met with agreement by a listening Christian (page 82).

 

 She warns us against “sowing a seed of doubt by “suggesting” or inculcating that the leader of the organization, ministry, project, etc…is somehow less capable than you or someone else. In kingdom life, order and respect for authority cannot be dismissed because of talent or ability (page 154). Wow!  Unfortunately, I have been guilty of this very thinking, not realizing that who God ordained is ordained, and my only job is to pray for them.

 

The book ends with a beautiful poem that recalls Psalm 1: “He (who meditates on God’s words day and night) shall be like the tree planted by the rivers of water.”

 

 

Proverbs: The Wisdom Book

The Book of Proverbs – The Wisdom Book

The books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon (also called Song of Songs) were all written by King Solomon, son of King David.

I Kings 4:32-34 says,

³² He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five. ³³ Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish. ³⁴ And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon.

This tells us that all the proverbs were not written at once, but throughout Solomon’s life. They are collected in the book of Proverbs for our instruction. King Solomon wrote about the everyday practical issues in life such as:

 

Thinking twice about becoming a co-signer on a loan: Prov. 6:1-4

1 My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt
or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger—
² if you have trapped yourself by your agreement
and are caught by what you said—
³ follow my advice and save yourself,
for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy.
Now swallow your pride;
go and beg to have your name erased.
⁴ Don’t put it off; do it now!
Don’t rest until you do.

Warning against laziness:  Prov. 18:9 (New Living Translation)

A lazy person is as bad as
someone who destroys things.

The advantages of speaking (and hearing) kind words: Prov. 16:24

Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Avoiding arguments: Prov. 17:14

Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate,
so stop before a dispute breaks out.

 

Caution against unnecessary borrowing: Prov. 22:7

Just as the rich rule the poor,
so the borrower is servant to the lender.

 

Warning against eating too many sweets and warning against visiting too much:

Prov. 25:16-17

¹⁶ Do you like honey?
Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!

¹⁷ Don’t visit your neighbors too often,
or you will wear out your welcome.

 Even advice on caring for animals: Prov. 12:10

The godly care for their animals,
but the wicked are always cruel.

Aside from (and more important than) the above examples of wisdom for daily living mentioned above, there are also spiritual truths in the book of Proverbs. The most prominent of these the fact that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”

Prov. 1:7 (New King James Version)

⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

 

The word “fear” the Hebrew word ‘Yirah’ means reverence: an attitude of deep respect. The New Living Translation of Prov. 1:7 says, “The fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge. “ This line is repeated in Proverbs chapter 9:

Prov. 9:10 (New King James Version)

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

In the book preceding the book of Proverbs, it is also written in Psalms 111:10:

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.
All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.

Praise him forever!

Prov. 3:5-8 tells us that instead of depending on our own intellect (and what we call our own common sense, we need to trust in God. He will lead us down the right paths and will keep us in good health.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
⁸ It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.