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Parenting by the Book

Proverbs   Study
Study 191

STUDY 191

Text: Proverbs 18
20 February 2005

Dear Parents,

THE WORDS OF GOD
Words play such a vital role in life! Imagine life without words! How we would be set back in life without words!

What are we reading, if not words, when we turn to the Scriptures? God’s words are special and precious! The psalmist David wrote with deep insight when he made the following observations about the words of God.

The words of the LORD are pure words,
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times.

Psalm 12:6

How wonderful it is to know that when we read the Scriptures, we are reading “pure words… purified seven times”!

THE WORDS OF MAN
What a far cry from God’s words are the words of foolish people. The following text displays a sharp contrast between God’s words and man’s words!

A fool’s lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calls for blows.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles,
And they go down into the inmost belly.

Proverbs 18:6-8

1. A fool’s words would lead to contention

This is the first observation made about man’s words. Some use their words so unwisely that contention results. Soon angry words lead to blows!

2. A fool’s words ensnares – himself!

A foolish person sometimes makes all kinds of wild statements. Words of promise could be given to one’s deep personal loss!

3. A talebearer’s words

There are those who like to tell tales. To them, gossip is nothing. Gossip is all about trifles. Yet, the sad truth is that idle words can hurt deeply… into the inmost belly! The danger done is sometimes irreparable!

GUARDING THE USE OF OUR TONGUE
Whether as adults (parents) or children, we must ever guard the use of our tongue! May we be challenged to use only good and pure words in our conversations!

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie

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