Day 147: Virtues of the Maturing Bride 4 (SoS 4:3a)

 Your lips are like a strand of scarlet, And your mouth is lovely. Your temples behind your veil Are like a piece of pomegranate. (Song of Songs 4:3)

In the last few lessons, we have looked at the first three virtues of the maturing Bride of Christ. Today we examine the fourth represented by the complement of the Bride's lips.

The word lips in this scripture does not only refer to a part of the body. It more specifically means a person's speech, language, talk, or words. So more appropriately the Bride's words are said to be like a strand of scarlet thread.

Scarlet is a reddish hue obtained from a dye derived from a certain worm. It is mentioned many times in the Bible. Its symbolism varies from time to time. Sometimes it is used to describe sin, symbolize wealth, or symbolize Jesus' blood. It is a very vibrant and attractive color mostly worn by the military and nobles in ancient times.

The most significant mention of scarlet is its use in the temple. Scholars say it represents Jesus' blood shed for us. It should be noted that our text refers specifically to the Bride's speech as not just scarlet in color but a scarlet thread.

The most significant mention of the scarlet thread in the Bible is in Joshua 2. Rahab after concealing the spies during their mission to Jericho, was told to scarlet thread on her window. This was so that she and her family could be spared when the Lord delivered Jericho to Israel. As promised, when the time came, Israel wiped out all of Jericho except Rahab and all who were in her house at the time of the invasion. This same Rahab who was not just a gentile but a prostitute was grafted not only into God's people but also into the lineage of Jesus the Messiah.

The scarlet thread, therefore, is a symbol of grace, redemption, and mercy. Its color represents the blood that redeemed us and granted us salvation by God's grace. The Beloved commented on the Bride's beautiful speech. Paul in Ephesians 4:29 says:

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

In Colossians 4:6 (TPT), he said:

Let every word you speak be drenched with grace and tempered with truth and clarity. For then you will be prepared to give a respectful answer to anyone who asks about your faith.

The Message Translation of this verse says:

Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.

And in Ephesians 5:4, he said:

Guard your speech. Forsake obscenities and worthless insults; these are nonsensical words that bring disgrace and are unnecessary. Instead, let worship fill your heart and spill out in your words.

When Isaiah met the Lord in Isaiah 6, the angel of the Lord touched his lips with coals of fire to purify them. Our lips as we mature are purified by the blood of Jesus so that our speech may offer the grace of God (His redemptive power) to all who listen to us.

James in James 1:26 (TPT) says:

If someone believes they have a relationship with God but fails to guard his words then his heart is drifting away and his religion is shallow and empty.

Speech is one of the most critical and glaring indicators of our maturity. The more we mature in intimacy with Jesus, the more control we have over our tongues and the more graceful our words are. We must learn to not speak condemning or degrading words.

Pastor Bill Johnson once said:

Many people speak to vent instead of speaking to redeem.

Times of emotional highs and times when we are hurt, are when we should exercise the most caution with our words. Those are the times we are most likely to lose control of our tongues. Jesus on the cross did not curse those who crucified Him. Rather, He asked the Father to forgive them. Men must be able to testify alongside our Beloved that our speech is beautiful, graceful, and full of life-giving words.

PRAY WITH ME:

Dear Lord, I ask that you purify my lips and fill my mouth with graceful words. I make a decision today to never speak degrading and condemning words to men created in the image of God just like me. I speak graceful and edifying words at all times. Help me dear Holy Spirit to stand by this decision. Amen.

REFLECT & ACT:

• Evaluate your words. Do you always speak graceful and edifying words (especially in times of emotional highs)?
• Throughout today, meditate on and confess James 1:19 (Amplified Version):

Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving];