• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

STUDY 294

Text: Proverbs 25
11 February 2007

Dear Parents,

OBSERVERS OF NATURE
The proverbial writers were often astute observers of nature. These wise men took careful note of how nature reveals climatic patterns.

OBSERVERS OF HUMAN BEHAVIOUR
The wise were also astute pupils of human behaviour. They took note of what people did and the reactions that would follow. They combined the two and up came a proverb, like this one.

The north wind bring forth rain,
And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

Proverbs 25:23

Depending upon the direction from which winds came, the consequences would differ. In the case of the north wind, that always brought rain!

The tongue brought different results too, depending on how it is used. In the case of a tongue that practises backbiting, an angry countenance would result.

WHAT IS BACKBITING?

1. Backbiting often involves lying

Getting treasures by a lying tongue,
Is the fleeing fantasy of those who seek death.

Proverbs 21:6

Backbiting would ultimately bring harm to oneself, and not only the intended victims.

2. Backbiting is sin

He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow,
And the rod of his anger will fail.

Proverbs 22:8

The person who backbites is like one who sows iniquity. He will ultimately reap sorrow. A backbiter is often a person filled with anger. Yet his anger will avail him nothing, for failure would still be the end result.

GUARDING OF THE TONGUE
What is the best lesson we should teach our children as an alternative to backbiting? Let us ponder the following word of admonition. Let us ever teach our children how to guard their mouth and their tongues.

Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.

Proverbs 21:23

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie