June 25, 2009
Central Truth
The Bible challenges us about self-control in many ways. Learning to control the tongue brings wisdom.
Speaking recklessly is like the thrusts of a sword,
but the words of the wise bring healing.
(Proverbs 12:18)
1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.
2
A good man obtains favor from the LORD,
but a man of evil devices he condemns.
3
No one is established by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous will never be moved.
4
An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
5
The thoughts of the righteous are just;
the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
7
The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
but the house of the righteous will stand.
8
A man is commended according to his good sense,
but one of twisted mind is despised.
9
Better to be lowly and have a servant
than to play the great man and lack bread.
10
Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,
but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
11
Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.
12
Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers,
but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13
An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
1
12:13
Or In the transgression of the lips, there is an evil snare
but the righteous escapes from trouble.
14
From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good,
and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.
16
The vexation of a fool is known at once,
but the prudent ignores an insult.
17
Whoever speaks
2
12:17
Hebrew breathes out
the truth gives honest evidence,
but a false witness utters deceit.
18
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19
Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
but those who plan peace have joy.
21
No ill befalls the righteous,
but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23
A prudent man conceals knowledge,
but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
24
The hand of the diligent will rule,
while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
25
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,
but a good word makes him glad.
26
One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,
3
12:26
Or The righteous chooses his friends carefully
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27
Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,
but the diligent man will get precious wealth.
4
12:27
Or but diligence is precious wealth
28
In the path of righteousness is life,
and in its pathway there is no death.
After reading this chapter, five verses stood out to me the most: verses 1, 5, 7, 15, and most of all, verse 18. The main idea here is that everyone gives advice, the wicked, the righteous, and everyone in between. This passage talks about how we should not listen to the advice of the wicked, but we should listen to good advice because "the one who listens to advice is wise." (Proverbs 12:15).
So, how do we discern if advice is wise or wicked? I believe that the only answer to this is to obey what God teaches you and listen to the Holy Spirit inside you. These verses challenged me to listen to good advice and follow it, but to stay away from bad advice.
When I read this verse, I am reminded of all the reckless words I've said in my life and how they pierced like a sword. Throughout the Bible we are challenged to control our tongues. Two examples of this are:
1) "You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29)
2) "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." (Proverbs 10:19 NIV)
Those are two of hundreds, but they are two verses I love, and they go hand-in-hand with Proverbs 12:18. Because of these verses, I am continually challenged to control my tongue.
1. What are you doing to help yourself control your tongue?
2. How can you apply the good advice throughout this chapter to your life?
3. What can you do to determine if advice is righteous or not?