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Pathways Through Proverbs
Daily Devotional
October 18, 2008
Today's Reading - Proverbs 18
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Following Scripture Verses
Proverbs Chapter 18
- Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
- A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
- When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
- The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
- It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
- A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
- A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
- The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
- He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
- The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
- The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
- Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
- He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
- The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
- The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
- A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
- He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
- The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
- A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
- A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
- Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
- Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
- The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
- A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
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Today's Pathway:
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There are lessons to be learned in this verse for both those who offend and those who are offended. The principle given is that when a brother is offended it is very hard to restore the relationship. Thus, both groups need to understand this and see to it that their relationships with each other are correct.
The first application is to the offender. I need to do everything in my power not to offend my brother in Christ. This, of course, does not mean that I am to allow him to continue in open sin without any Spirit-led rebuke or correction. However, it does mean that I ought to be certain that it is the Word of God that offends him and not my attitude or speech. Often we may speak the truth to an erring brother, but we do it in such a way that he has no desire to receive it. Ephesians 4:15 tells us that we should be "speaking the truth in love", and if we put this into practice we will find that we are far less offensive. Of course, there may be occasions when the sinner rejects our rebuke and rejects us as well. Unfortunately, there may be very little that we can do to restore our relationship to them because the real problem is that they have rebelled against the Word of God.
There is teaching here for the offended as well. If someone has offended me, does this give me the right to ignore them? Certainly not. The Bible clearly teaches that an offended brother is to go to the one who has offended him in an attempt to restore the fellowship (Matthew 18:15; Luke 17:3). We simply need to put away our hurt feelings and follow the leading of the Scriptures.
Offenses destroy families, friendships and churches. We need to try not to offend, but when we do offend, or receive the offense, we must do all that we can to be Biblically reconciled to one another.
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
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