Posted on 11/17/2022 11:41:03 PM PST by Pilgrim's Progress
“He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof” (Proverbs 18:17-21).
“He that is first in his own cause seemeth just,” if you only listen to one side of the tale it’ll sound like one fellow got a bad deal, but when you take the time to listen to both sides you get a totally better and clearer understanding of what took place. Listen to both sides of any story before you make a decision.
“The lot causeth contentions to cease,” it solves the problem. Two or more sides want their idea to go through, so a vote is taken and the majority of the people decide an issue. It doesn’t mean that all disagreements will cease, but the matter is decided in an orderly fashion.
“. . . and parteth between the mighty,” in other words, it separates the warring factions, and restores peace.
“The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD” (Proverbs 16:33).
“A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city.” Once you offend a brother, to win him back is like attacking a strong city. He will have defenses up against you because of what you said or did to him.
“. . . and their contentions are like the bars of a castle,” his defenses are really hard to get into. They throw up that wall of defense against you and it is hard to speak to them, and hard to get them to listen. We are much better off never offended them in the first place.
Cain was offended by Abel’s offering. He never was won, and he ended up killing his brother.
This is making a living by what a man says: counselors, lawyers, judges, preachers, teachers, that kind of thing. He fills his belly by the words of the mouth. It can also apply to a conman.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue,” you can’t beat James 3, that is the best passage on this: “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell” (James 3:1-6).
“. . . and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof,” what we say in this life is the way that God is going to deal with us, especially in the area of salvation. With our mouth we either accept or reject God’s invitation to life.
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New King James Version
The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him.
NIV 18:18.
Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents.
imho If you want people to listen, speak modern english , the king james bible has outdated language that the barely educated in the U.S. can hardly be expected to understand. and barely educated is over 3/4 of the population. iow.. don't preach to the choir.
New King James Version
The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him.
NIV 18:18.
Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents.
imho If you want people to listen, speak modern english , the king james bible has outdated language that the barely educated in the U.S. can hardly be expected to understand. and barely educated is over 3/4 of the population. iow.. don't preach to the choir.
Cross-examination reveals the truth.
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