Proverbs 18:1-12
1 An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends;
he defies all sound judgment.
2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding
but delights in airing his own opinions.
3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt,
and with shame comes disgrace.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters,
but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked
or to deprive the innocent of justice.
6 A fool's lips bring him strife,
and his mouth invites a beating.
7 A fool's mouth is his undoing,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to a man's inmost parts.
9 One who is slack in his work
is brother to one who destroys.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;
they imagine it an unscalable wall.
12 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud,
but humility comes before honor.
The Proverbs author gives us much advice throughout the Book of Proverbs...Here in chapter eighteen he touches on many subjects...
The first thing the author teaches us is about being unfriendly...Being unfriendly is the pursuit of a selfish man...The unfriendly man has poor judgment...When we see wickedness, we should expect to see contempt coming...Wickedness is linked to shame and with shame comes disgrace...So when you see a wicked man, you know it will be followed by contempt of others, then by shame, and followed by disgrace (in the wicked)...
Many things come from our mouths...Some are wise and some are not...But the more positive of these is wisdom...We should run from the evil and wicked...The wicked are connected to injustice...
The fool finds no pleasure in learning and understanding...He likes listening to himself and his own opinions...Listening to others is something the fool needs to work on...A fool's words and mouth will bring him both strife and a beating...His lips are his undoing and his words set him up for trouble...
Gossip for some are like their favorite choice appetizers...Gossip can hurt and gossip goes down to one's most sensitive and emotional parts...
The lazy and the sluggard is linked to destruction...
The LORD and His name is strong and gives us strength...His words are like a tower, where we can dwell in safety...
A proud heart will bring our downfall, but humility will bring us honor...