April 15, 2020
Life Lessons #
Proverbs 18:20-24
Introduction
Lord willing I would like to finish this chapter up. Again, these thoughts are not always tied together, so we will simply take each verse as it stands. The first two verses deal with the same subject matter, so we are able to put those under the same point.
I. Words to mean something (Proverbs 18:20) #
A. Power of words (Pro 18:21) #
1. Your words carry a lot of weight. #
2. Some words, are not helpful. Matter of fact, they are empty over all. #
James 3:10-12 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
3. Are the words of our mouth, sweet water, to be a blessing and refreshing to the souls of men? Or are they bitter salt water, that cannot be tolerated by man? #
- Words make a difference! As Christians, we need to be careful that the words we speak should be right, truthful, helpful words of compassion.
- Does this mean we should not reprove, rebuke? No, but our motive must be right.
- Matthew Henry - said this:
- Many a one has been his own death by a foul tongue, or the death of others by a false tongue; and, on the contrary, many a one has saved his own life, or procured the comfort of it, by a prudent gentle tongue, and saved the lives of others by a seasonable testimony or intercession for them.
B. Provision of words (Pro 18:20) #
Prov. 12:14 ¶ 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.
Prov. 18:20 ¶ A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
1. Some people have jobs, just because others tolerate them, others have jobs, because they are genuinely liked, and people desire to be around them. #
2. True evaluation of what you bring, comes from the heart. #
3. When you work with people, and you care about people, and help people, it is visible. #
- This is the motive behind the words, not manipulative words, but truly motivating words.
- Those people will be inspired, and in turn will care about you.
- Compassion… looking out for others.
II. Wife (Proverbs 18:22) #
A. Any wife #
1. There are other warnings in the book of Proverbs that speak to that of a good wife. So we will assume this is talking about a good wife, not just a wife. #
2. Man alone, is incomplete. (Genesis) #
B. Necessity of a wife? #
1. There are some who do not desire, or feel the need for a wife (there is nothing wrong with that) #
Matt. 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
C. Virtuous wife (Pro 31) #
1. Do him good - #
Prov. 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
2. She provides food, clothing etc. #
3. She is resourceful #
4. She is wise with her words (kind) #
Prov. 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
5. She works hard #
Prov. 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
6. She fears the Lord #
Prov. 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
III. Words from the heart - Proverbs 18:23 #
Intreaty – prayers or supplication or asking (modern entreaty) carries with it the idea of humility, asking something of which you know and understand it would be granted as a favor, not as an entitlement.
Gen. 25:21 And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
Ex. 8:8 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.
A. Humility of the poor #
1. Poor in spirit - #
2. Luke 18:9-14 #
B. Harshness of the rich #
1. Rich in spirit… thinking they have everything they need #
Rev. 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
IV. People (Wise advice) Winning friends #
A. Friendliness #
- Too many people say, they never call me, or talk to me… well, do you talk to them?