Tuesday, November 5, 2019

PT-3 "Speech can be used to do Evil" (Study in Proverbs)


SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 3/5/2013 6:58 PM
My Worship Time                                                     Focus:  PT-3 Speech can be used to do evil
Bible Reading & Meditation                                                Reference:  Proverbs
            Message of the verses:  We will look at the sections of the main point listed above in our continued study of Proverbs in Today’s SD.
            We hurt others by speaking in anger.  Let us begin by looking at Proverbs 29:22, “An angry man stirs up strife, And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.”  We will see in Proverbs 26:21 that angry men stir up the pot, “As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.”  As we look around at this world we live in today we will see that many people who are angry, hold it in when there around their friends, “Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil hearts (Or, 26:23).” 
            Dr. Wiersbe writes “Instead of covering our anger with cheap dross, we should cover others’ sins with sincere love.  ‘Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins’ (Pr. 10:12 NKJV).  Love doesn’t condone sin or encourage sinners to try to hide their sins from the Lord (Pr. 28:13; 1John 1:9), but love doesn’t tell the sin to others.  (See Gen. 9:18-29.)  If I’m angry with someone and he sins, I’ll be tempted to spread the news as a way of getting even.”
            We hurt others by impetuous speech.  We begin with Proverbs 29:20, “Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”  And then Proverbs 18:13, “He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.”  “The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him (Pr. 18:17).”  Next Proverbs 15:28, “The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.”  “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise (Pr. 10:19).”  Next Pr. 12:18: “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”  When we utter reckless words they also hurt us, and not just the one we are talking to, “He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles (Pr. 21:23).”  Now if we make promises that are rash to the Lord and others this is especially true, “It is a trap for a man to say rashly, "It is holy!" And after the vows to make inquiry (Pr. 20:25)” and Pr. 22:26, 27: “Do not be among those who give pledges, Among those who become guarantors for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take your bed from under you?”  Eccl. 5:1-5, “1 Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. 2 Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. 3 For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words. 4 When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! 5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.”
            We hurt others by talking too much.  Eccl. 5:2, “2 Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.”  Pr. 10:19, “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.”  Pr. 15:2, “The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly.”  James 3:1-2, “1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.”  Eccl. 3:7, “A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak.  Pr. 11:12-13, “12 He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, But a man of understanding keeps silent. 13 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.” Pr. 17:28, “Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.”
            We hurt others by talking instead of working.  Pr. 14:23 (NIV), “In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty.”  Dr. Wiersbe concludes this section with these words, “Mankind seems to be divided into three classes:  dreamers who have good ideas but never accomplish much, talkers who exercise their jaw muscles and vocal cords but no their hands and feet, and doers who talk little but with God’s help turn their dreams into realities.”
            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I truly hope that I am in the last category and that of being a doer, even though since my retirement my doing days are not as much as they were when I was working, but God still uses me to accomplish things He leads me too.  For if God will give you a job to do he will give you the resources to accomplish that work even though at times it may seem like He is not in it at all.
My Steps of Faith for Today:  I cannot remember a book in the Bible that I have studied that has stepped on my feet like this on.  I surely need to rely upon the Lord to follow the things that I have been learning.
Memory verses for the week:  Psalm 32:1-5
            1 How blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sin is covered!  2  How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!  3 When I kept silent about my sin, by body wasted away through my groaning all day long.  4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah.  5 I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.
Turning Points Wisdom for Today:  “The Bible is bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions.”  (Author Unknown)  “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  (2Timothy 3:16-17)  3/5/2013 8:03 PM


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