Proverbs 18

Proverbs 18

1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. 2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. 3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. 4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. 5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice. 6 A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. 7 A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. 8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. 9 Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. 10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. 11 A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination. 12 Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. 13 If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. 14 A man's spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? 15 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. 16 A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. 17 The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. 18 The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders. 19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. 20 From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. 22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. 23 The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. 24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Devotional

Introduction

My family enjoy watching American political television shows. One of the shows we are watching is a fictional show concerning the secretary of state. In the program, she admits on multiple occasions that she hates politics, especially when she must get involved in the Presidential campaign and various politicians. It isn't hard to see why she does. As is typical in this sort of show, often the petty power arguments get in the way of achieving what is right and just.

When I read some of the first few verses of this passage, I was often reminded of what politics can often look like. Sometimes - not always - politicians are petty, arguing without listening. It can often become tedious to listen to debates in government when politicians are yelling over the top of people.

This is not an exact representation of what is going on in proverbs. But it was a reminder. The fool will speak too soon without listening. The fool will spread rumours and find it pleasant. The fool will only destroy themselves.

However, in politics or in many circumstances, the fool will often be shown partiality. They seem pleasant. They deceive in the self-image they form with their words. They are popular, because the world hears them, and wants to keep listening. The world is foolish.

So let's understand a little more about this fool, shall we?

Study

1) The Fool is pleased by his own words (vs.8,20)

"The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body." (vs.8)

"From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips." (vs.20)

From the very fibre of their being, they delight in what they say, even though what they say is often evil and wicked. They love to heart themselves talk.

And others love to hear them talk. Proverbs calls them "delicious morsels" (vs.8). People want to just eat them up, devour them. They may seem pleasant. But like any sinful temptation, they have a rotten core.

These wicked words actually promote dissension and disunity between people. I always remember that verse in Proverbs that says, by their words, a city is overthrown. They might seem pleasant to both the fool and the people around them - but they only will destroy people.

So, check the motives behind the words of anyone, and the words that you speak yourself. Are they pleasant? If so, why? Because they satisfy the evil desires of your heart, or because they love others?

2) The fools want to speak, not understand (vs.2,13)

"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,  but only in expressing his opinion." (vs.2)

"If one gives an answer before he hears,  it is his folly and shame." (vs.13)

You have seen this in many a quarrel or argument. This was what reminded me of some of the political debates. The fool is the one who yells over top of someone, just to get their opinion out. They will shout out another. They are not a peacemaker. In fact, as long as they get their way, they are happy to go the extra mile.

How often in our culture do we see these shouters? How often do we preach tolerance, but refuse to tolerate another's opinion or argument? You don't need to adopt their opinion or belief, you don't need to change religions. But how are you showing love if you do not listen and understand? How are you being wise?

If you examine a quarrel, consider how often the shouter or the loud one is often wrong, and will look foolish in the end. Often it is the quiet-spirited, calm one who comes our right in the end. The wise have victory in the end because they held their lips and listened.

3) The fools speak, and bring turmoil upon themselves (vs.6-7;21)

"A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating." (vs.6)

"A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul." (vs.7)

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue,  and those who love it will eat its fruits." (vs.21)

Verse 21 clarifies this idea that the tongue can be life-giving or murderous. So where does the fool sit on the spectrum? I think it is quite clear. He brings death.

First off, he brings death and destruction to himself. In his words, he sets a "snare to his soul" (vs.7). In his words, he "invites a beating" (vs.6). And he does all this willingly, he chooses to "walk into a fight". Seems a little too hardcore for me.

But I do it. I choose my battles foolishly. And with my mouth I slander, I gossip, I shout, I speak hastily. And I invite the war that I could have just peacefully denied. I set upon myself physical harm (vs.6) and spiritual harm (vs.7) - all of which results in my death (vs.21). Guys, choose your battles. I don't think you want to bring ruin to yourself.

Be reminded also, that your words are destructive for another. With the tongue you can build up or tear down. That hateful word is called murder by Jesus. So consider what you say. Listen to your lips next time you speak, was it loving?

4) The fools should be shown no partiality (vs.5,17)

"It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice." (vs.5)

"The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him." (vs.17)

Finally, we are told to not favour the fool, which is where politicians can come in again. We easily look to the person who speaks too soon. Often on the media, we are given the words of politicians who speak too quickly, who are not wise with their words. Even the media knows when someone has been foolish. But often we choose the politicians who can be very foolish in their words. It may not always be on camera. They can be disagreeable in normal conversations with people, and yet, they are popular in our culture.

You know, this is not just politicians. The popular kids in school have a way with words too, which might be humourous because they tear a "lesser" kid down. Those celebrities, who slander another celebrity just to become popular again. Those popular magazines, which spread gossip about the famous, just to get a buck.

The one who speaks first should be examined to see if they are right. In a court of law, justice is only served if the defense and prosecution are allowed to speak. The one who speaks first should be examined not just taken at his word (vs.17).

In the end, justice should be given. We should not favour or popularise those who are foolish in their words. We should not show partiality to anyone. But justice should be served - which would prove the righteous as right, and the wicked as wrong.

The wicked may speak first, and may be popular, but they should be examined carefully for their foolish speech.

Conclusion

This article got quite political, but it was only an example. Did you know that there are fools everywhere we go? In fact, you're probably one of them. Some are blessed with a naturally calm spirit, but even they will sin in their words.

As Christians we must be careful in what we say. From the mouth, we show our heart. In choosing carefully what we say, we are living more in line with God's word. We become the proof of the spirit's work in our lives. We will never be perfect on this earth, but in transforming our words, we envisage the life we will live one day with God. We remember the perfect, holy, loving community we will have with God one day, made possible in our being righteous in Christ.

To the praise of his Holy name!