Wednesday, January 22, 2014

“SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 18:19-21”


He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

Wisdom and Foolishness – A Contrast: Our Relationships: Proverbs 18:19-21
19) A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle.
20) A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21) Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

In this text, Solomon shows us the importance of working to develop good relationships with other around us…

EXPOSITION:

19) A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle.
In this verse we look at sustaining relationships we have already cultivated…
1.  Breaking bonds of love and care that we have developed is described as “offending”.  The word translated “offended” means to rebel.  Once we have developed close bonds with another, if we forsake those bonds it is much like rebelling against authority.  In both, cases it is a matter of walking away from our responsibility and obligation. 
Once the bonds of friendship are developed, we have a great responsibility to be faithful to those bonds. This is why, once we misuse and abuse the love and trust placed upon us, it is very difficult to ever win back the affections of the offended.
2.  The warring resistance of the offended are like great bars of division that will not allow our entrance into their life once again.

“But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.  And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?  If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee [shall be] his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.  And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”
(Genesis 4:5-8)


20) A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 
If we have the proper view of our life, we will find ourselves satisfied knowing we have helped others during the course of our life.  As we help others, we will find our relationships increasing in number and strength.  In this verse we look at one very powerful way to gain, and sustain close relationships… the proper use of the tongue…
1.  The fruit that is borne with our mouth, as it nourishes and strengthens others spiritually and emotionally, will bring us deep and lasting satisfaction.
2.  The more helpful speech that proceeds from our mouth the more content and satisfied we will become.

“A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of [his] mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.”   (Proverbs 12:14)


21) Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
3.  The tongue holds tremendous power that can actually bring life to an individual….
through proclamation of the gospel it can present spiritual life to those who are spiritually dead.  
through encouraging and strengthening words it can bring emotional life back to those who are struggling with the affairs of life.
Likewise we can place upon others a death sentence with our tongue:
through our wicked testimony (displayed in judgmental , vicious, hateful speech), or the false teachings of this world, we can drive others AWAY from Christ and the salvation that they so desperately need.
through discouraging, thoughtless, flippant speech and counsel, we can become a stumbling block to those who are facing difficulties and trials in this life.
  4.  Those who love to use their tongue to give life to the needy, or those who love to use their tongue to harm those who are in desperate need, in either case, will stand before the Lord and give account for their use of their tongue.  In this sense, they will “eat the fruit thereof”.

“The words of a wise man's mouth [are] gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.  The beginning of the words of his mouth [is] foolishness: and the end of his talk [is] mischievous madness.  A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?”   (Ecclesiastes 10:12-14)


SUMMARY:
As we work to create, and develop, relationships with others may we all remember the principles Solomon has shared with us…  our relationships carry with them great responsibilities, and our tongue is, perhaps, the most powerful tool we have to create or destroy our relationships with others.

By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org


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