Walking the Walk We Talk

The eighteenth chapter of proverbs speaks to us instructing us in ways that will cause us to walk humbly and successfully in life. In this chapter we are advised to: be connected with other believers; avoid partially; guard our speech and run to God in humility. The passage also speaks to pain, gifts and our relationships with others.

"Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment." (v1)

This verse speaks loudly to me of my need for others in the body of Christ. Sometimes it is so hard to find time to be just be with brother and sisters in Jesus.. especially in ways that are transparent and vulnerable.

"It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice." (v5)

Partiality seems to be the partner of injustice. So often my predisposition for one side of an issue will cloud my sense of right and wrong. It is so hard sometimes to differentiate opinion from fact.

"A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body." (v6-8)

Verses like these makes me want to take a vow of silence. I have never been more a fool than when I say foolish things cloaked in sanctimony.. I think that religious pride often manifests in this way. Interesting how these verses seem to speak to the diverse affects of foolish speech.. sometimes we do not really know how foolish we are.

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination. Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor." (v10-12)

Quite a contrast in these verses between a person who trusts the Lord and one who trusts in themselves. In these times of financial turmoil it is good to remember that the name of Jesus is more than a way to end a prayer.

"A man's spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?" (v14)

Again we see contrast.. this time it is between external and internal pain.. both are so real.. both can cause much suffering.. and sometimes healing does not seem to come.. externally and internally. I have to admit that.. as this verse seems to indicate.. for me the external pain is much easier to endure.

"A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before the great." (v16)

Many times our natural and spiritual gifts open doors that would otherwise remain shut.. of course it is on us to walk through them

"The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him." (v17)

I have learned so much over these past years from disparate points of view. I do not always change (I guess I rarely change) my views but I always seem to come away from a debate with a better understanding of why I believe the way that I do.

"A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle." (v19)

I have been on both sides of this.. have offended and have been offended. My inclination in both cases is to pursue reconciliation.. but I have sadly found that reconciliation cannot come simply because I want it.

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord." (v22)

I have been blessed in this life with two wonderful women who both inspire me to seek the Lord. In both I have experienced the Lord's favor in my life!

"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (v24)

A great way to end this group of proverbs. I have experienced the closeness of friends but nothing can match the closeness of Jesus.


Please click here to catch some of my other ponderings on the book of Proverbs.

5 comments:

  1. I love your comments on these verses, Bob. You make us think!! and stretch us!! I have been blessed to not suffer much physical pain but I have suffer emotional pain and found it MUST be set aside by both forgiveness and willingness to do so.
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the book of Proverbs. These in speak to me today in particular as my husband left me today as he has done quite a few times during the course of our 13yr marriage. I've forgiven him and taken him back every time. I'll forgive him again this time too but never take him back. It hurts too much and does too much damage to me and our son each time he does this. And he only does it because he wants to take drugs and run around with other women. Verses 1,5,10-12,24. My husband is cutting us off from any income as verse 24 says. But I'm not worried about it. I will be finished my certificate 3 in aged care and disabilities in 6mths and my son and I will be alright. Our Lord God Almighty is so good He will provide. And when I cried to the Lord today He gave me the most beautiful verse that blew me away. 1 Corinthians 2:9. I love Our Lord. Thankyou Jesus. Amen

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sorry I meant verses 10-12, but as verse 24 says Jesus sticks closer than a brother.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow Lisa.. thanks so much for sharing during this difficult season. I am standing with you today asking the Spirit to be present with you in comfort and wisdom.

    Many blessings, Bob

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks Bob. I have a huge battle coming up. In all my years on this earth I've never come across people like my husbands family>many times they've done terrible things to me that have shocked me. I must admit I'm very blessed that I've grown up in a loving Christian home. So I was sheltered and naive to how bad some people can be. Every time they've wronged me I've held out the olive branch to them to try to show them Gods love. I know it's not me or them. It's the devil in them that hates God in me. I have heard today from other members of family they are plotting evil against me right now. But praise God I know the Lord is with me. He gave me a beautiful song today that I had completely forgotton from 20yrs ago. Something Beautiful, Something Good. All my confusion He understood. All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife, but He made something beautiful of my life. PRAISE GOD. HE IS SO GOOD I COULDNT LIVE WITHOUT HIM. Please keep me in your prayers as tony and his family are just beginning. I can't believe tony has just left me within a week of finding your blog. God is good just giving me that extra bit of sustanance when I'm sitting alone after my young son has gone to bed. The joy of the Lord is my strength. I'm signing off now to pray and then get a good nights sleep. Goodnight and God bless to my family in Christ, Lisa

    ReplyDelete

I love to get comments and usually respond. So come back to see my reply.
You can click here to see my comment policy.