PROFITING FROM PROVERBS

“A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes” (Proverbs 18:6 KJV).

“A word fitly spoken,” this is not. This fellow’s words are unfit, unappreciated, and unwelcome. He is more of the “busybody in other men’s matters” spoken of by Peter. How, in fact, do we know we are in the presence of a fool? By that fool’s lips, or the words that come out of his mouth. Proverbs tells us in the previous chapter, "Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding" (Proverbs 17:28 KJV).

The contentious fool can not stay silent. He must throw in his so-called two cents at every occasion, often entering into another’s discussion uninvited. A fool’s lips show that he is a fool. He says the wrong thing or speaks at the wrong time, or he says what he does in the wrong place or to the wrong person. He is like a child who does not know these wise details of speech. Consequently, he gets himself into trouble with others, and his superiors correct him severely for it. Yet, he goes on, as Paul might suggest, “professing themselves to be wise.”

Now, a wise man may and does at times get drawn into a discussion or a quarrel against his will, but a fool can’t wait to hop in even when he could and certainly should avoid it and will often regret it when it is too late. He exposes himself to correction, and at times ends up with a bloody lip.

“He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears” (Proverbs 26:17 KJV).

Shimei’s mouth was his own destruction, and Adonijah, who spoke against his own leader, looked to the destruction of another but ultimately the destruction was their own. And what of Haman that chose to speak against the people of the queen, even devising a plan to destroy the entire nation, yet he himself hung from the very gallows he had built for his enemy, Mordecai. The Word surely gives us ample evidence of the fool, does it not?

A problem today is a gross misunderstanding of so-called free speech. No one has the right to say anything they wish. All men have the responsibility to only say those things that please God and profit men. But now with the flick of a finger, emails or texts or tweets send arrogant words, haughty speech, and disrespectful retorts all over the place.

A wise man will read, re-read, and then read again his comments on an online message board--and quite often, if he is wise indeed, will push the delete button rather than the send button. One the thought is posted it can be deleted, but at what cost to the reputation of the sender.

A fool prefers talking to listening, especially if he is corrected. He would rather argue and contradict than humble himself to instruction. Lacking respect for authority and others, he speaks when he ought to be silent. His froward speech leads to confrontations, and his inappropriate remarks beg for someone to give him stripes on his back with a rod.

Doctrinal arguments have the danger of turning into that which is most displeasing to the God of order. Due to the anonymity of most sites, a person might entertain the notion that he can say what he wishes and get away with it. Friend, you know it and God knows it. Don't be foolish enough to believe that you will get away with it.

Father, guard my tongue and my emotions so that I do not feel that I must win every argument. Remind me that we are Your ambassador and Your spokesperson. Help us to avoid any foolish word that might bring discredit upon our faith. Amen.

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