Daily Devotion of Proverbs 18

Daily Nugget:
Proverbs 18 brings to light behavior that is tolerated by most but is not accepted by God. His Word indicates that those types of conduct are foolish.

We see here that foolishness:

• Is not wanting to understand all sides of a matter. The fool is more concerned about doing what feels right or seems the best thing for him to do. This sounds more like the desire today to do what is popular, rather than what is logical, moral, fact-related, or helpful.
  “A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.” Proverbs 18:2
• Are words that are often disliked and shameful. Sadly, the speaker may not even realize the derogatory impact his speech has on others.
  “A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.” Prov. 18:6
• Often comes off one’s lips and ruins their character, respect, and testimony. Many times, it is not even realized that one’s worst enemy is one’s thoughts and words.
  “A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.” Prov. 18:7
• Is making a decision or judgment after hearing only one side of the situation or story. Without knowing all sides of an account and only portions of what is considered, wrong assumptions will be made. Facts quite often are not the fool’s concern, as they prefer making decisions based on emotions and not the truth.
  “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Prov. 18:13

After reading the wisdom of these four types of foolishness, it should bring to mind the actions and words heard today from prominent speakers, politicians, and others. Their statements may be eloquent and contain official-sounding, ten-dollar catchy phrases, but much of what we hear is not wisdom at all. In God’s eyes, much of what is said and accepted is still foolish.

Today’s Thought:
“It is relational suicide to assume you can ever win over a fool by argument, sweet reasonableness, or any other common wisdom.” — Jan Silvious, Foolproofing Your Life

Words to Understand:
Contention: disagreement often causing stress and anger
Contempt: shame; dislike
Folly: foolish actions
Haughty: prideful; arrogant
Intreaties: entreaties; sincere prayer
Ignominy: defilement of having a good name; made to look bad; embarrassed
Prudent: careful; wisely deciding
Slothful: lazy

Today’s Reading:
Proverbs 18
1 ¶ Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 ¶ A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 ¶ When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 ¶ The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 ¶ It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 ¶ A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 ¶ The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 ¶ He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
10 ¶ The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11 ¶ The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12 ¶ Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
13 ¶ He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
14 ¶ The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 ¶ The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 ¶ A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 ¶ He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 ¶ The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19 ¶ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 ¶ A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 ¶ Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 ¶ Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23 ¶ The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 ¶ A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.