May 18, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 18
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Following Scripture Verses

1. Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3. When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4. The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5. It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6. A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9. He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
10. The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11. The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12. Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
13. He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
14. The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15. The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16. A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17. He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18. The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19. A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20. A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22. Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23. The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24. A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Today's Pathway:
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"A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself." - Proverbs 18: 2

All of us have seen today's verse in action. Unfortunately, many of us have put it into practice. The principle here is that a fool has no interest in learning the truth, or understanding why a certain situation took place. His only interest is in spouting forth his own opinion.

Have you ever been involved in a discussion and noticed that you weren't really listening to what the other person had to say? This is particularly evident in an argument, and the more heated it is, the more obvious the problem becomes. One person starts giving his opinion, perhaps quite loudly. The second person doesn't listen, but instead thinks about what he wants to say. As soon as the first person takes a breath, or perhaps before, the second combatant jumps in with his views. However, the first person wasn't done, so now he starts thinking about what he wants to say, and fails to listen. When the argument is finished, both parties are angry, both still think that they are right, and neither one understands why the other thinks the way he does.

Often parents will jump to conclusions when dealing with their children without first taking the time to understand what has really happened. Spouses will make assumptions about what their partner's motivations are, and will attack him or her verbally based on those assumptions without ever desiring to understand why events have taken place. When we behave in this fashion, the Bible says that we are acting like fools.

Do you really want to know the truth, or do you simply wish to voice your opinion? Do you regularly take the time to listen, or do you spend your time thinking about what you want to say, and saying it? James 1:19 tells us that we should be "swift to hear, slow to speak". A wise man will practice this. A fool will not.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery