Wise Up: Proverbs 18
Proverbs 18 (NIV)
1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding
but delight in airing their own opinions.
3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt,
and with shame comes reproach.
4 The words of the mouth are deep waters,
but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked
and so deprive the innocent of justice.
6 The lips of fools bring them strife,
and their mouths invite a beating.
7 The mouths of fools are their undoing,
and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.
9 One who is slack in his work
is brother to one who destroys.
10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;
they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.
13 To answer before listening—
that is folly and shame.
14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,
for the ears of the wise seek it out.
16 A gift opens the way
and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,
until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
18 Casting the lot settles disputes
and keeps strong opponents apart.
19 A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city;
disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;
with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
21 The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds what is good
and receives favor from the Lord.
23 The poor plead for mercy,
but the rich answer harshly.
24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Always wondered where this scripture came from – it speaks loudly in these tumultuous times that we live in today:
“…but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother”
Let’s seek out this friend in prayer for our brothers who don’t see us as brothers!
My first impulse here and throughout this study in proverbs is to help others. For example, today when thinking about all those unfriendly people I know or have known, I try and address their need to work on selfishness. I do so with all humility, writing out thoughts meant only to help move these misguided “friends” towards godliness. Sadly, I know most won’t heed sound judgement and of course sound judgement comes from me! Listen all of you! I’m only trying to help!
Ok, I may have over done the sarcasm but am I the only one out there who’s commenting on this stuff and has to go back every time and change all the ourselves into me, their into my, and we into I? Isn’t it easy and safe to weigh the shortcomings of us and avoid confessing that I need to work on me? Not us, not you, not my kids, and not my wife! Really not my wife since I have to sleep sometime. Sorry for the lunacy but that was fun for one of us; I mean one of me. Moving on:
An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
and against all sound judgement starts quarrels.
Proverbs 18:1
Selfishness, by its very name, puts me first above all else. Therefore, it is natural that unfriendliness would result from a selfish spirit. After all, to be a real friend means to put the interests of my friend ahead of myself. It requires sacrifices of time, emotions, and resources. Often it will require me to curb my expectations and to extend grace when they haven’t been met. Furthermore, this “unfriendly” selfishness refuses to listen to opinions that are contrary to my own opinions or my own self interest (there’s that word self again). Wisdom recognizes correction that will promote godliness and welcomes it. Foolishness demands its own way.
Father, may I display your love by being a true friend, especially when there is a cost to be paid. Help recognize that “wounds from a friend can be trusted” so, by heeding sound judgement, you are honored and you are glorified.
10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.
This verse gave me hope and filled me with peace this morning. Sometimes being a Christian seems hard but today it seems easy.
Verse 13 reminds me to listen completely to what is being said before I try to answer or offer my opinion.
Verse 21 reminds us what Britt taught yesterday. What we say to people or about people can hurt them or build them up. If we truly love our God we will obey the second of his most important commandments, “love thy neighbor”, which we cannot do if we are hurting them with our words. I for one pray for the Holy Spirit to fill me each day and temper my speech to be edifying.
These proverbs are quite convicting. When I read these verses I think, “I don’t want to be the fool, the wicked, the one with a tongue that puts out deceit or pain for others. I want to have a tongue of life and not death. I want to be a person of wisdom and not folly. In reality, I know I am both and this verse brings me comfort;
24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
because I have a great friend who has stuck by my side, since I met her in 1997, through all my ups and downs. And although she is moving to Texas from San Diego this week, I know we will still be close.
But even better than my friend who is moving to Texas, I have Jesus. If I need advice He is there. He lived a life that is an example for us to strive for. I know He loves me even when I know I do not deserve His love. He sacrificed his life of perfection to take on all our sins so that God would not turn us away. He then died, was buried and rose again for the atonement of sins and the glory of God the Father. I have to remind myself that, “God did not send his son into this world to condemn the world but to save the world through him.” John 3:17
Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jn 16:33
Thank you Lord for the reminders you give us in Proverbs of the choices we can make to live a life with some peace while we are here on earth. Please give me the strength, wisdom and discernment to make choices that most Glorify you.
Verse 10. The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Oh Lord, thank you for giving us your wonderful Name and yourself. Thank you that no matter what we can always run confidently to you and be helped and be safe.
I love you, Lord
13 To answer before listening—
that is folly and shame.
‘Nuff said.