Yesterday, I read through the popular Proverbs 18 on my way back from work. I shared what I got from this passage of scripture with Brother P that evening and was encouraged to share it with you guys! So here are the five verses that really stuck out for me.
N.B. I’m currently on a twitter break, so if I don’t immediately respond to any tweets concerning this please forgive me! I’ll be back soon!
He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him. (13)
Has someone ever told you something that shocked you and every part of you wanted to react in the heat of the moment.
This verse right here says that we ought to fully hear about the matter or situation before responding or answering. This may involve speaking calmly and with wisdom to the people concerned, but first hearing them out!
Many a times I have reacted in the heat of the moment, behaved foolishly as the scripture says, ended up looking silly, let myself down and others down and God down when some say ‘I thought she was a Christian?’.
We often get the wrong end of the stick when we are given partial information. My advice is and this Proverb’s advice is: GET THE FULL STORY BEFORE REACTING. Listen, Think, Listen Again then Speak.
A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men. (16)
I absolutely love this verse.
- Your gift/talent will take you to new rooms! It will cause you to grow!
- Your gift/talent will take you places that you never dreamt of or imagined.
- Your gift/talent will draw attention to you but most importantly, to The God that gave you that gift when you use it to glorify Him.
Bishop T.D. Jakes preached on this one verse and He broke it down on so many levels. I encourage you to watch the sermon.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. (21)
I wrote a status about this last month after having a really difficult week and to be honest, my attitude and speech were so poor and completely out of character.
This verse reminds me that there is so much power in our words. We have to be so careful with what we utter from our lips because they literally can bring life or death.
It is words that brought the world into existence. It is words that are used to call the things that be not as though they are. It was words that Jesus used to curse the fig tree and it withered immediately.
So you get it…words are powerful. We use words in prayer, we use words in worship and we use words to encourage. Let us not use words to curse, slander or discourage from the same mouth. An orange tree cannot produce apples. A believer ought not to produce the fruit of an unbeliever…examine yourself and check the seed in your heart producing that fruit!
Be silent in the heat of the moment. Think…is what I am about to say or write rude, harsh, offensive or insensitive. If YES. Then seal those lips and remove those fingers from the keypad.
Check the state of your heart too…don’t let the anger or bitterness that you feel in that moment be your voice.
Before you can TALK Right, you have to THINK Right FIRST! Meditate on these scriptures:
- Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. – Psalm 141:3
- Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. – Proverbs 13:3
- Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. – Proverbs 21:23
- “Let the Words of my MOUTH, and the meditation of my HEART, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” – Psalm 19:14
This day I will Walk In Wisdom Knowing When To Speak and When to Remain Silent.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD. (22)
Now everyone has heard this scripture a thousand times and some!! We know it back to front and it is indeed a beautiful, encouraging scripture.
It tells me that with my future husband, I am not just there to be a fine babe, I am not just there to meet his physical desires.
I am there to ADD FAVOUR to Him. But how you ask?
Through my conduct as a biblical woman and diligence in my relationship with God. Through my prayers concerning my husband and my actions towards Him that lead to his betterment in ALL areas of His life, to help him fulfill his purpose and simultaneously my purpose as a wife.
You know, the Proverbs 31 Man was known by the elders at the gates for honourable reasons…because of the conduct of His wife!
Another example is Abigail in the Bible, who spared her husband, Nadab’s life after He insulted David. She behaved respectfully and was able to appease David to relent on his wrath. That is favour right there and that is a wife!
A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (24)
‘I don’t have any friends’, ‘No new friends’, ‘everyone is a snake’, ‘trust no one’. I question the people that make these remarks…gotta ask yourself the following questions:
Am I a friend?
Am I approachable?
Am I trustworthy?
Want friends?…Be a friend.
Quite simple and self-explanatory right.
Really Encouraging! Thanks for sharing! God continue to use you to spread the gospel so that souls will come to the Kingdom! Bless you sis
Amen, God Bless you ❤️