Words to Live By

“Christ is the Bread for men’s souls.  In Him the Church has enough to feed the whole world.”  - Ian Maclaren

Overview: Solomon, king of Israel, was the son of King David and Bathsheba. He reigned for forty years, taking the throne at about twenty years old.  Solomon wrote more books of the Bible than any other Old Testament writer except Moses.  He authored most of Proverbs which can easily be defined as “wisdom language.” The purpose of the book is to impart wisdom to the reader often by contrasting two very vivid ideas. For example, wisdom versus folly, good versus evil, life versus death, prosperity versus poverty, honor versus dishonor, truth versus falsehood, prudence versus rashness, and industry versus indolence.  In Proverbs 18, the author speaks of the words we say, the power of those words, and how our words affect others.  He also deals with laziness, a man’s gifts, and how to deal with one who is offended.

Memory verse: Proverbs 18:21 – Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18

1 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; 
He rages against all wise judgment.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, 
But in expressing his own heart.
3 When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; 
And with dishonor comes reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; 
The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, 
Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, 
And his mouth calls for blows.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, 
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, 
And they go down into the inmost body.
9 He who is slothful in his work
Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; 
The righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, 
And like a high wall in his own esteem.
12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, 
And before honor is humility.
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it,
It is folly and shame to him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, 
But who can bear a broken spirit?
15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, 
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him, 
And brings him before great men.
17 The first one to plead his cause seems right, 
Until his neighbor comes and examines him.
18 Casting lots causes contentions to cease, 
And keeps the mighty apart.
19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, 
And contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;
From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, 
those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the LORD.
23 The poor man uses entreaties, 
But the rich answers roughly.
24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, 
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Confession: I realize there is power in my words. I choose to speak life rather than death over myself, my family and my friends. My tongue will be a blessing. I yield it to the Lord. I will closely guard my words!

THOUGHTS...INSIGHT...What is the Lord saying to me? Leave a comment below.