Posts Tagged ‘speaking the truth’

Proverbs 29:20 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: October 29, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 29, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him

Slow down! Do not talk so fast! Think before you speak! Make sure you know what you are talking about before sounding off. A person that talks fast, talks often, and answers quickly is worse than a fool. A fool will get in trouble due to ignorance, but a man who answers or speaks before thinking is going to be punished. He is worse than a fool.

God’s wisdom is simple – “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (Jas 1:19). You have two ears and one mouth: let this proportion be reflected in your listening and speaking. Many have their mouths running before their minds are in gear, and they are a danger to themselves and a stench to others.

A righteous man studies before answering; wicked men pour out verbal nonsense without study (Pr 15:28). The good man is cautious before speaking, because he wants to make certain he only speaks the words of truth (Pr 22:20-21). The arrogant fool likes to hear himself talk, so he is busy talking whenever possible, regardless of truth (Eccl 10:12-13).

Have you ever met a person who answers before questions are fully posed? Have you ever done this? It is folly and shame to answer a dilemma you have not yet fully heard (Pr 18:13). What causes a man to answer so presumptuously? Arrogance and conceit! He is so sure of himself, he talks without deliberation; there is more hope of a fool (Pr 26:12).

Fools are stupid, but hasty and impulsive talkers are proud. There is some hope to help a fool overcome his stupidity and stubbornness, but there is less or no hope to help a proud man see his deficiencies in character and conduct to change them. His self-righteous confidence, the greatest of sins, will not allow him to be corrected. He will not seek a multitude of counselors to obtain safety, because he assumes he is right (Pr 11:14; 15:22).

Fools say all that is in their minds without any necessity or request, but a wise man will listen carefully to see if he ought to tell what he knows or not (Pr 29:11). This is wisdom, reader. No one wants to know your opinion or thoughts until they ask for it, and then they want you to stay on topic and only say things you have previously confirmed as truth.

How many have brought God’s judgment down on them for speaking hastily in the house of God (Eccl 5:1-7)? It is better not to vow, than to vow and not pay. Sober reflection is superior to the crackling of fools (Eccl 7:2-6). They merely make a lot of vain noise. It can also happen in writing, so be cautious before replying with a hasty email. Slow men are better than fast men, and hasty thoughts will get you in trouble (Pr 14:29; 21:5).

If you want to please God and men with your life, then slow down in speech and be careful about every word, for many words often lead to sin (Pr 10:19). Let your speech be always with grace and seasoned only a little with criticism or rebuke (Col 4:6). If you love pureness of heart, your speech will be gracious and promote you with great men (Pr 22:11). This result is totally opposite the hopeless destruction of the fast-talking fool.

Proverbs 19:09 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: March 19, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 19, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 19:9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he who pours out lies will perish. 

One of the quickest ways to guarantee your ruin is to lie. God has committed Himself against liars, and so have good men, and so have most wicked men. Lying does not work.

God inspired Solomon to write Proverbs to supply you with wisdom for life. One of the great rules of wisdom for your prosperity and success is to always live honestly and always tell the truth. What could be simpler? What could be cheaper, in the long run? This is truly an advantage in the world – to value and practice integrity at all times.

Honesty and truth are important in this book of wisdom, and the ugly consequences for lying are repeated. God hates the two aspects of lying in this proverb (Pr 6:16-19). Consider Solomon’s emphasis on this subject (Pr 10:18; 12:19,22; 13:5; 14:5; 17:7; 21:6; 26:24-26,28). Lying about any matter for any ungodly reason will never work. Believe it!

Why would anyone ever lie? Some lie to get ahead, thinking they can deceive others into helping them progress faster in life. They may lie on their resumes, in interviews, when audited, or when asked about procedures or problems. But the proverb is true – what they thought would help them succeed will turn to be the very cause of their eventual ruin.

Some lie to avoid punishment. This is a common reason among children. When they are confronted about an obvious crime, they generally point to someone else and deny any wrongdoing. Adults are not far behind, thinking a lie will avoid the consequences of their action. But the proverb is true – no matter what the liar thinks, he will not be unpunished.

Some lie to seduce others into a sin that will satisfy their lusts. This is true of fornicators and false teachers, both of which use lies to soften and persuade their prey and victims for the kill. They mislead, misrepresent, and misdirect to gain advantage for sexual or religious gain. But the proverb is true – they shall surely perish for their lying.

Some lie to enhance their reputation among peers. They embellish and exaggerate their accomplishments in lustful ambition for acceptance and praise by others. The desire to be popular is so great in their hearts and minds that they will compromise the truth for it. But the proverb is true – there is no way they will gain honor by something so dishonorable!

Parent, you should establish truth in your home for your children’s sake by your perfect example, careful instruction, and consistent punishment for lying. One of the most useful things you can ever give your children is a love for honesty and truth and hatred for lying.

Spiritual Training 29 July 2013

Posted: July 29, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Ephesians, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Ephesians 4:14-16: Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. 

 Christ is the truth (John 14:6), and the Holy Spirit who guides the church is the Spirit of truth (John 16:13).  Satan, by contrast, is the father of lies (John 8:44).  As followers of Christ, we must be committed to the truth.  This means both that our words should be honest and that our actions should reflect Christ’s integrity.  Speaking the truth in love is not always easy, convenient, or pleasant, but it is necessary if the church is going to Christ’s work in the world.

In describing the mature Christian, Paul says that one of the marks is “speaking the truth in love.” This sounds so simple, but it seems so hard for us to do. Some of us are fairly good at speaking the truth, but we forget to be loving, but we don’t have it in us to level with others if the truth is painful. The instruction here is to do both: Speak the truth, but do it in a loving manner. Think of the trouble we would spare ourselves if we followed this practice, especially in the church!

Some Christians fear that any mistake will destroy their witness for the Lord.  They see their own weaknesses, and they know that many non-Christians seem to have stronger character than they do.  How can we grow up into Christ?  The answer is that Christ forms us into a body-into a group for individuals who are united in their purpose and in their love for one another and for the Lord.  If an individual stumbles, the rest of the group is there to pick him or her and help him or her walk with God again.  If an individual sins, he or she can find restoration through the church (Galatians 6:1) even as the rest of the body continues to witness to God’s truth.

Lets bring it home: When you have a problem with another believer, don’t go to someone else with it. Go directly to that person, and speak the truth in love.  Remember, when one Christian is out of order, it reflects the entire Christian Community which is the body of Christ.  As part of Christ’s body, do you reflect part of Christ’s character and carry out your special role in his work?