He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
Practical Life Principles: Selfishness Brings
Harm To Others and Self: Proverbs 21:23-26
23) Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from
troubles.
24) Proud [and] haughty
scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in
proud wrath.
25) The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to
labour.
26) He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and
spareth not.
This
text emphasizes for us that living a life of selfishness brings troubles and
death…
EXPOSITION:
23) Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from
troubles.
A
selfish lifestyle is revealed by unguarded speech…
The
man who diligently guards speech will guard his life from distress and anxiety
Many
times our ill-spoken words will harm others, which will create future problems
for the speaker.
“For in many things we
offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same [is] a perfect man, [and]
able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we
turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships,
which though [they be] so great, and [are] driven of fierce winds, yet are they
turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a
little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little
fire kindleth! And the tongue [is] a
fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth
the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire
of hell. For every kind of beasts,
and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath
been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man
tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God,
even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the
similitude of God. Out of the same mouth
proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth
at the same place sweet [water] and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs?
so [can] no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who [is] a wise man and
endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his
works with meekness of wisdom.” (James 3:2-13)
24) Proud [and] haughty
scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in
proud wrath.
A
selfish lifestyle is revealed by uncontrolled anger….
Those
who are presumptuous and who arrogantly mock are known when they exhibit
arrogant, out of control anger towards others.
When
a person’s life is filled with uncontrolled anger, they are showing themselves
to assume there will be no retribution for their actions. This type of lifestyle and attitude makes a
public mockery of the Word of God.
“Better [is] the end of a
thing than the beginning thereof: [and] the patient in spirit [is] better than
the proud in spirit. Be not hasty in thy spirit
to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” (Ecclesiastes 7:8-9)
25) The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to
labour. 26) He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the
righteous giveth and spareth not.
A
selfish lifestyle is revealed by laziness…
1. The longings of the lazy will destroy him
Because he abhors and rejects work. The
lazy will hungrily selfishly to satisfy his flesh all day.
2. Those who are in alignment with the desires
of God will give of himself to help others and will not hold back.
When
a person is not willing to work to meet their own needs and the needs of their
family, they are headed for sure ruin.
They live a totally selfish existence, while the Godly man will work and
then share his gain freely with others who possess legitimate needs.
“I went by the field of the
slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown
over with thorns, [and] nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone
wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, [and] considered [it] well: I looked
upon [it, and] received instruction. [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to
sleep: So shall thy poverty come
[as] one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.” (Proverbs 24:30-34)
SUMMARY:
Living
a life of selfishness is revealed by unguarded speech, uncontrolled anger and
laziness. It results in a variety of
troubles for both the lazy person and those who come in contact with them.
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”.
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