Day 197

The Power of Words

Read: Proverbs 18-21

Several proverbs talk about “a fool.” In each case he shows his folly through his words. A fool is not interested in understanding but only in giving his opinion. What he says leads to his hurt. He is ready to give an answer to a question before he has really heard what the question is. Words are so important that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (18:21). As someone has said, “Never forget that God gave you two ears and only one mouth.”

Laziness comes in for its share of rebuke. Failing to work hard and destroying something fall in the same category (18:9), for in both cases others are shortchanged by the action. Slothfulness results in hunger (19:15). The sluggard fails to sow and then is surprised when there is no harvest (20:4).

The “Better is” formula is also used. It is better to be poor and have integrity than to show folly by a wrong use of words (19:1). Solitude is better than relationships that produce contention (21:19).

The words “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whoever is led astray by it is not wise” will be commented on more fully later. A book on wisdom cannot ignore the folly produced by the misuse of alcohol. This is the kind of advice needed by many today. There is a timelessness about the proverbs because human nature is ever the same.

PRAYER
Father, keep us from letting alcohol make us foolish, and from speaking hurtful words. Amen.