He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
Pitfalls In The Lord’s Service: Evil Speech :
Proverbs 20:18-20
18) [Every] purpose is
established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
19) He that goeth about [as]
a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth
with his lips.
20) Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out
in obscure darkness.
In
this section of Scripture, Solomon reminds us of the importance of Godly speech
in our service to Christ.
EXPOSITION:
18) [Every] purpose is
established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
Pitfall
1 – Failure to seek Godly counsel, relying on evil counsel.
1. Every goal is legitimized, and strengthened,
by advice for wise planning
2. With wise guidance enter into conflict
Biblical
counsel should be sought for all life goals and major life decisions. Especially decisions that affect the lives of
others should be entered into carefully, only after receiving wise guidance and
planning. Conversely, those who rely
upon evil counsel will form wicked goals and make decisions displeasing God and
harming others.
“Without counsel purposes
are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.” (Proverbs 15:22)
“Or what king, going to
make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether
he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty
thousand? Or else, while the other
is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of
peace.” (Luke 14:31-32)
19) He that goeth about [as]
a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth
with his lips.
Pitfall
2 – Gossip, judgmental speech, and revealing privileged information
1. The person that goes about their life
spreading scandals and gossip uncovers personal events.
2. Because of this, do not enter into
association with those who persuade through deception using speech.
Our
associations should be with those who respect the privacy of others, refrain
from making unproven accusations, and do not meddle in the lives of
others. If a person cannot respect the
privacy of others, they cannot be trusted to keep confidences nor speak truth.
“Now I beseech you,
brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine
which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own
belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” (Romans 16:17-18)
20) Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp
shall be put out in obscure darkness.
Pitfall
3 – Speech that dishonors those who guide and care for us
The
person who dishonors, slights, or mocks their parents shall have their light
put out in the blackest of darkness, leaving them unable to see anything.
When
we dishonor those who are placed in a position of guidance and care in our
lives, it will result in us being alone, without counsel nor care, wandering
aimlessly with no direction or understanding.
“Cursed [be] he that
setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.” (Deuteronomy 27:16)
“He shall be driven from light into darkness,
and chased out of the world.” (Job 18:18)
SUMMARY:
There
are many pitfalls involving our speech that await us in our service to
Christ. In this section, Solomon has
pointed our attention to three areas…
Pitfall
1 – Failure to seek Godly counsel, relying on evil counsel.
Pitfall
2 – Gossip, judgmental speech, and revealing privileged information
Pitfall
3 – Speech that dishonors those who guide and care for us
By
God’s grace, He has forewarned us of these pitfalls, so that we might not have
to experience them ourselves. Let us all
take this wise counsel and apply it swiftly to our hearts and lives, realizing
it is counsel that comes from a Loving, Merciful, All Wise, Heavenly Father.
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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