The Impact Of Our Words

Proverbs 18:1-12

“Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.  A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.” (Proverbs 18:1-2)

It is his desire to learn that makes a person separate from his friends to observe and study various things.  The fool is only interested in learning what will satisfy his desires at the moment, somewhat like the cravings a pregnant woman may feel. 

“When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.” (Proverbs 18:3)

Wickedness causes people to view one with contempt.  Losing a good reputation leads to shame and loss of respect and trust. 

“The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.” (Proverbs 18:4)

Many times a person’s statement have far greater significance than is immediately appreciated.  A wise person’s statements provide and ongoing source of instruction and help. 

“It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.” (Proverbs 18:5)

When we treat wicked behavior as acceptable, helping them get by with wrong doing, or take advantage of those who do right, we encourage others to be wicked, and discourage those who try to do right.  As a result, wickedness grows.

“A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.  A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.” (Proverbs 18:6-7)

A fool constantly gets into verbal altercations, and contrary to what many believe asks for the physical beating he gets by his refusal to shut up.  I’ll never forget seeing a drunk get beaten up and while lying on the ground yelling curses and making fun of the guys who had just beat him up until finally one lost his temper and started in again.  It is the fool’s mouth that incites people to try to kill him and it is his mouth that causes him to commit to things he knows are wrong. 

“The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” (Proverbs 18:8)

The words of rumor mongers destroy reputations and relationships, and they cause emotional hurts that go the very heart of a person’s being.   They often do more damage than a physical attack would. 

“He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.” (Proverbs 18:19)

A lazy man has a lot in common with a person who just throws away what he has.  Neither of them are concerned with what is required to earn what they have. 

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.  The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.” (Proverbs 18:10-11)

The very name of God strikes terror into the hearts of those who do evil.  Righteous people turn to him for protection, and he protects them.  Rich people turn to their wealth for protection, in their pride thinking what they have will be enough.  It isn’t.

“Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.” (Proverbs 18:12)

Certain things naturally lead to others.  A haughty, proud attitude inevitably leads to destruction, because God hates and resists pride.  Humility, on the other hand shows respect for God and will be rewarded accordingly, by appropriate respect.