God Speaks
Unfriendly people care only about themselves;
they lash out at common sense.
2 Fools have no interest in understanding;
they only want to air their own opinions.
3 Doing wrong leads to disgrace,
and scandalous behavior brings contempt.
4 Wise words are like deep waters;
wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
5 It is not right to acquit the guilty
or deny justice to the innocent.
6 Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels;
they are asking for a beating.
7 The mouths of fools are their ruin;
they trap themselves with their lips.
8 Rumors are dainty morsels
that sink deep into one’s heart.
9 A lazy person is as bad as
someone who destroys things.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong fortress;
the godly run to him and are safe.
11 The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense;
they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.
12 Haughtiness goes before destruction;
humility precedes honor.
13 Spouting off before listening to the facts
is both shameful and foolish.
14 The human spirit can endure a sick body,
but who can bear a crushed spirit?
15 Intelligent people are always ready to learn.
Their ears are open for knowledge.
16 Giving a gift can open doors;
it gives access to important people!
17 The first to speak in court sounds right—
until the cross-examination begins.
18 Flipping a coin can end arguments;
it settles disputes between powerful opponents.
19 An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.
Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.
20 Wise words satisfy like a good meal;
the right words bring satisfaction.
21 The tongue can bring death or life;
those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
22 The man who finds a wife finds a treasure,
and he receives favor from the Lord.
23 The poor plead for mercy;
the rich answer with insults.
24 There are “friends” who destroy each other,
but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
Source: New Living Translation: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: For purpose of study in comparison and contrast, Proverbs 18 is presented here with the good or godly statements in italic.
1. Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense.
2. Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
3. Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt.
4. Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
5. It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.
6. Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.
7. The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips.
8. Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
9. A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.
10. The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to Him and are safe.
11. The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.
12. Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.
13. Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.
14. The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?
15. Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.
16. Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!
17. The first to speak in court sounds right–until the cross examination begins.
18. Flipping a coin [casting lots] can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents.
19. An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.
20. Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.
21. The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
22. The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD.
23. The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults.
24. There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
Consider the following questions regarding Proverbs 18:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
1. The LORD God is a tower of refuge for those who call on His name as their source of righteousness.
2. People’s mouths often get them into trouble by speaking before getting all the facts, for example.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Proverbs 18?
Dear LORD God, please enable me not to seek to fulfill my own desires but Yours and the good of those around me. May I effectively listen to all sides of an issue, but especially Your perspective, before I express my opinion. Help me to show respect and understanding of others’ viewpoints, even if I strongly disagree with them. Please put a guard on my mouth so that I don’t just blurt out whatever I am thinking. Help me to use my words to bring life (particularly eternal life) and not death or some form of harm. Give me a thirst for knowledge and a hunger for wisdom (that comes from You). Please help me to reconcile with family members and to be a faithful and loyal friend. I call on Your name, O LORD. You promise to be a strong place of refuge, to make me righteous, and to keep me safe for eternity. For Your glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Proverbs 18? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will ask the LORD to lead me to a friend that sticks closer than a brother and to help me to be one as well.
- I will consider when a gift would pave the way for something I want to accomplish and when it would be a bribe, thus inappropriate.
- I will not accept or pass on gossip.
- I will seek out and consider two or three viewpoints on an issue before making a decision (voting for example).
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.