Posted on 02/15/2020 6:09:05 AM PST by Pilgrim's Progress
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger . . . The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness” (Proverbs 15:1-2 KJV).
This is a verse that really ought to be memorized. Grievous words don’t soften people up, they just cause fights. “Only by pride cometh contention.” You have to have two folks to have an argument. Do you realize that more arguments are avoided when one of you is humble? I mean, once you get two proud sinners, you are on argument ground. That is good, fertile ground for an argument. Nowhere do we see more grievous words than in an automobile. It seems like we think we own the road and everybody else out there is just stupid! I do more confessing in a car than anywhere else. You know how many people have been shot to death over something as silly as ‘road rage?’ As soon as I say something wrong, I confess it. I’m trying to get this old man to relax and realize that I don’t own the road.
“The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.”
“The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright,” rightly dividing it: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15). Bible knowledge must be used rightly. It must be taken literally where it can, and it must be applied properly. It must be interpreted in light of other Scriptures. We need to interpret difficult passages in the light of clear passages.
For example, “Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression” (Amos 4:4). The Bible isn’t here inviting people to sin freely, that sin is acceptable. Israel had already gotten so far away from God that they weren’t going to do right anyway, so God said, “Go ahead.” Another passage, “he that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 10:22). There are passages that are difficult and easily misinterpreted unless you use knowledge aright. This is speaking of those that make it to the end of the Tribulation period.
“. . . but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness,” it comes from the heart, especially children: “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Proverbs 22:15). Folly, foolishness, really, they are just talking to hear themselves say something that is funny enough to laugh at. Anything that is weird they laugh at.
“. . . but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness,” and that’s just typical of children.
Daily Bible study is necessary if we are going to begin our day with the right attitude and the right spiritual diet. Proverbs has 31 chapters, and most months have 31 days, so let’s read a chapter of Proverbs a day and see what God might have for us. As the Lord leads, share with us what God has shown you in a special way and by His grace let us build up a devotional repository. Let’s keep our knives and forks handy for some daily bread! Ideally, a chapter or two of Proverbs will fit in nicely with a good plan of reading our Bibles through each year.
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