Proverbs 18:8-22 Niv

For Reading and Meditation:     Proverbs 18:15-21

We are seeing that the first step the psalmist took to save himself from falling was stopping himself from saying what was on the tip of his tongue. In other words, he took himself in hand. This is an extremely important issue. What a lot of heartache would be saved if Christians would take heed to this and learn...

It is an old and common saying, that "coming events cast their shadows before them;" the wise man teaches us that a haughty heart is the prophetic prelude of evil. Pride is as safely the sign of destruction as the change of mercury in the weather-glass is the sign of rain; and far more infallibly so than that. When men have ridden the high horse, destruction has always overtaken them. Let David's aching heart show that there is an eclipse of a man's glory when he dotes upon his own...

As far as the Bible is concerned, there must be the testimony of two or three witnesses in order to form a valid judgment. If we would only observe this principle, we would save ourselves oceans of trouble.

The natural tendency for us is to hear one person's side of a case and to immediately decide in his favor. He sounds convincing and our sympathies go out to him. Then later we learn that his was only one side of the story. When we hear the other side, we realize that the first man...

Taken by themselves, the sufferings of this present time can be appalling. I think of the gruesome sufferings of the Christian martyrs. I think of what some of God's people have had to endure in the concentration camps. What shall we say concerning the horrible sufferings associated with war? The cruel dismemberment and paralysis connected with accidents? The unspeakable pain of human bodies racked by cancer or other diseases?

And yet physical suffering isn't the whole story. It seems...

Living Bible paraphrases this verse, "What a shame - yes, how stupid! - to decide before knowing the facts!" This pinpoints an important lesson. You cannot make an intelligent decision until you hear all the facts. Unfortunately many Christians do not wait to hear both sides of an issue. They form a judgment on the basis of one man's story, and often that judgment is totally wrong.

In 1979 Gary Brooks (fictitious name) was a member of the Board of Deacons of an evangelical church. He...

The first part of this verse points out a failing that is common to most of us - we invariably present evidence in such a way as to put ourselves in the best possible light. It comes quite naturally to us. For instance, we withhold facts that would prove damaging to us and concentrate on our good points. We compare ourselves with others whose failings are more obvious. We pass the blame for our actions on to others. We assign pious motives to actions that are patently wrong. We twist and...

The rich fool in Luke's gospel had so much wealth he didn't know what to do with it. So he decided to tear down his barns and silos and build bigger ones. Then he thought he would feel satisfied, not knowing that he would die as soon as his building project was completed. His wealth wouldn't save him from death and the grave.

Sider says, "The rich fool is the epitome of the covetous person. He has a greedy compulsion to acquire more and more possessions, even though he does not need...

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. § I will trust and not be afraid; ‘for Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread. § For the Lord loves justice, and does not forsake His saints; they are preserved forever, but the descendants of all the wicked shall be cut off. § The Lord will not forsake His...

Christ … has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. § Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious. § God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. § In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.If you love Me, keep My commandments. § The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. § The...

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. § Death and life are in the power of the tongue. § The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of justice. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. § Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.For we cannot but...