Lots of great verses on words in this chapter. I like verse 13 because jumping to conclusions is a dangerous habit. It goes well with verse 17 which says that the first one to speak always sounds right. The point to these verses is that wisdom and understanding helps us keep quiet and listen before we get involved in someone's dispute. It's easy to become offended before we know the facts.
Verses 1, 2, and 6 describe people we need to keep out of our inner circle. A real change in heart not only transforms us, it transforms our relationships. The wise walk with the wise, but a companion of fools will be destroyed. Pulling away from unhealthy influences is necessary to keep our hearts with diligence.
Proverbs 18 (New Living Translation)
1 Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense.
2 Fools have no interest in understanding; only want to air their own opinions.
3 Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt.
4 Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
5 It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.
6 Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.
7 The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips.
8 Rumors are dainty morsel that sink deep into one’s heart.
9 A lazy person is as bad a someone who destroys things.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong fortress;the godly run to him and are safe.
11 The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.
12 Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.
13 Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.
14 The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?
15 Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.
16 Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!
17 The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins.
18 Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents.
19 An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.
20 Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.
21 The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
22 The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.
23 The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults.
24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother
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10The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the [consistently] righteous man [upright and in right standing with God] runs into it and is safe, high [above evil] and strong. 11The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high protecting wall in his own imagination and conceit. (Amplified Version)
These two verses contrast each other. The righteous man places his trust in God, for he RUNS to the Lord for safety and strength. On the other hand, the rich man perceives in his imagination that he is protected by his riches. In reality, he is unguarded, unprotected, and “fair game” for the devil. His “high walls” in his heart block God’s plans for his life.
Alexander Maclaren said: “When the big siege guns get into position and begin to play; when the great trials, sooner or later, come to open fire at us; then the defense that anything in this outer world can give comes rattling about our ears very quickly. It is like the pasteboard helmet, which looked as good as if it had been steel, and did admirably as long as no sword struck it.”
This is so true! Because many people who are trusting in their worldly systems have no clue that they are not protected. But one day they will realize it. Their system will fail. Their “fortress” will not stand through trials and tribulations and economic hardships. My prayer is that our ministry with be a voice of Truth for people when they reach this breaking point. That we will take their hands and run with them into the strong tower.
Verse 16 really jumped out at me today. In my New King James Version, it reads "A man's gift makes room for him, And brinds him before great men." This verse really had me thinking about the gifts and talents that God has given me. While some may think of this simply as bringing a physical gift or present, I was thinking more about spiritual gifts and talents. Our gifts that God gives us open many doors for us, if we embrace them. While they may not lead to earthly weath and riches, they do lead to some extraordinary experiences. The key to this is allowing God to guide you. I have always had a gift in regards to children. I babysat, kept the church nursery, and taught Sunday school. When my nieces and nephew were born, these was the most spectacular events of my life. I have just simply always been able to connect with children. Despite this, in college I wanted to go to law school. I was definitely not going to be a teacher, mainly because my mother always said that is what I would be. I simply refused to see that was my calling. I was always thrown off by the saying "those who can't do teach." Well, as with most people, I went to law school completely out of God's will for my life, and found the experience to be miserable! Since I now teach kindergarten, you can conclude that I had a change of heart somewhere along the way. My talent is most likely not going to bring me great wealth. However, it has brought me to Victory and to some great Christian friends and counselors. As the verse says in my Bible "A man's gift makes room for him,..." My gift has certainly done that for me.
Verse 19 is also another one that touched my heart. Many of us feel that we can "say anything" to our friends. Well, this verse cautions us because we all know that once we have hurt and offended a friend, the road to forgiveness can be long, windy, and rough. I pray that God would help me watch over my actions and words in regards to my friends so that I would not offend them. I pray that God would help me also not be easily offended.
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