Proverbs 18

Week 21                                                                     Proverbs 18

In Proverbs 18:21, we are reminded just how powerful words are. They have the power of life and death, the writer says. They do but this is not the verse I want to concentrate on today. I want to look at the next verse.

 

He that finds a wife finds a good thing. I would expand that a bit and say that when someone finds a good spouse, they have found a great thing. It is like gaining God's favor. Those that have such a marriage can understand this truth, but for those who haven't been married or don't have a good one, you might not be able to imagine marriage as a wonderful thing. In truth, the bad examples of marriage have hidden its greatness, behind the images of abuse and hardship. This doesn't mean that marriage is bad, but as with many things when done wrong it looks that way.

 

A car is a great tool but used wrongly or driven while under the influence turns it is an instrument of destruction. This is true with marriage also, just as the problem with the car is the driver, so in marriage, it isn't the institution it's the people driving it.

Pro 18:1-24
(1)  Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
(2)  A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
(3)  When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
(4)  The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
(5)  It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
(6)  A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
(7)  A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
(8)  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
(9)  He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
(10)  The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
(11)  The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
(12)  Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
(13)  He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
(14)  The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
(15)  The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
(16)  A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
(17)  He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
(18)  The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
(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.
(22)  Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
(23)  The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
(24)  A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.