Bringing forth a Well of Life

The mouth of the righteous is a well of life,

But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

Proverbs 10:11

The picture a well of life means less in modern culture than it did at the time this proverb was written.  We may never be so far from clean fresh water that we are in the least bit of danger.  That difference is key in understanding how valuable the mouth of a righteous person has become.  Because while water may be very easy for us to come by, a person who is in right standing with God, growing with Him, and speaking words of wisdom is as difficult to come across as ever!  A well of life was rare, a fresh well was a refreshment to the thirsty, and it could mean the lively hood for an entire community.  This is a rich comparison as the person who is in right standing with God through Jesus Christ.  The person who is growing in Christ offers just these things to the world: refreshment, peace, satisfaction and the hope of life.  By contrast the wicked mouth is marked by violence.  Conflict and dishonesty are the destructive forces that cause a person and a community to starve to death.  In considering our daily speech is it most characterized by the image of a “well of life” or is it characterized by violence and conflict?