As we continue looking at the Proverbs for wisdom, it is my hope that the knowledge given so far may spark an interest in studying this profound book of the Bible. If everyone would read, understand, and follow the wisdom found in Proverbs our world would be a better place! Though the world will not listen to God’s wisdom, will you? Let us examine three more Proverbs this morning.
Have you ever noticed that the wicked have trouble controlling what they say? While walking in stores, it surprises me what comes out of the mouths of others! You can learn a lot about a person by what they say in public; you can learn even more by what they say behind closed doors. It is no wonder that God’s book on wisdom would have plenty to say about this subject (Prov. 4:24; 6:12; 10:14; 12:13; 13:3; 16:27-28; 18:7)! In fact, three of the seven things God hates involves the use of one’s tongue (Prov. 6:16-19). How is your speech, in public and private? Certainly, we cannot perfectly tame our tongues, for we are human (Jam. 3:8). Yet, are your verbal mistakes characterized as a seldom slip or a common occurrence? The Christian ought to be striving to subdue their mind, body, soul, and tongue to give glory to Christ our Lord. If we cannot watch what we say, how will anyone ever see Jesus in us?
Have you ever sat at a dinner table and everyone surrounding you was upset? Was that dinner a memorable and pleasant ordeal? I will not get into details, but I have had a meal or two as just described. Maybe something was said, a grudge was held, or possibly everyone just had a bad day. This brings me to the next proverb, “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fatted ox with hatred” (Prov. 15:17). Another passage with a similar message is, “Better is a dry morsel with quietness than a house full of feasting with strife” (Prov. 17:1). The clear message is a simple meal with people you love is more enjoyable than a great meal with people who despise you. Is this not true? I want to take the lesson a step further, many people worry so much about what they put on the table that they lose focus on who is around it. Have you ever seen this dynamic (especially on TV shows)? The family is eating quail, crab legs, and caviar; but cannot stand one another. I will happily eat potatoes, beans, and cornbread with a loving family around me. What matters more to you, what you eat or with whom you eat?
Sometimes we do not appreciate our friendships like we should. When things get difficult, real friends show up. The person who hangs around you but leaves at the first sign of trouble is no friend. “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity” (Prov. 17:17). Though Job’s friends did not give him the best advice and believed he was being punished for sin, were they not there when Job needed them most? (Job 2:11-13)? He was one of the wealthiest people of the East; do you think Job only had a handful of friends (Job 1:2-4)? The truth is his “friends” abandoned him at the first sign of trouble, but true friends love at all times. Are you a friend that will stick with others through the worst of times or are you only there while things go well? Christians ought to be reliable friends; dependable for others who look to us for assistance.
Watch your tongue, worry about the people around the table instead of the food you put on it, and be a friend that is available when others are in need. Who would not benefit from following wise lessons such as these?
-Brandon Foresha
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