August 10, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 10
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Following Scripture Verses

1. The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
2. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
3. The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.
4. He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
5. He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
6. Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
7. The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
8. The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
9. He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
10. He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
11. The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
12. Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
13. In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
14. Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
15. The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16. The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
17. He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
18. He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
19. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
20. The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
21. The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
22. The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
23. It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
24. The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
25. As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
26. As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
27. The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
28. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
29. The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
30. The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
31. The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
32. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

Today's Pathway:
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"In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise." - Proverbs 10:19

Today's verse contrasts the man who "speaks his mind" with the man who "holds his peace". The first man is in a hurry to speak, and the Bible states that when he says all those words he winds up getting himself in trouble because he usually ends up saying something that he should not have. The man who keeps his lips under control, and carefully chooses the words that he says, is said to be wise.

Most of us have, at one time or another, lived out the truth of the first half of the verse. We hear about something, and we start talking about it before we have all the facts. We speak at length about the subject, only to find out later that we were incorrect. Another application is that some people seem to really enjoy hearing themselves talk. The wax on and on about any topic at all, and often through their much speaking reveal their total ignorance of the subject. A third application would be that James 3 tells us that the tongue is very difficult to control. The more we use it, the more trouble we are likely to get into. Thus the more words you say, the greater opportunity there is for some of them to be inappropriate, cutting, or untrue.

In order to avoid these problems, it it wise to use your words sparingly. Be certain of your facts before you speak, Choose your words carefully so that you will not only get your point across, but you will do so with an appropriate, Christ-honoring vocabulary. Think before you speak, so that your speech will not lead you into iniquity.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery