Category: Devotions

Here are three proverbs with the theme: “The wrong use of the tongue.” Solomon’s fool (17:21) was not defective in mind but in morals. It was moral evil!

In today’s Proverbs the wicked and wise are contrasted. Wickedness is the dominant character of one, while a wellspring of wisdom and life marks the other.

Our desires often outrun our accomplishments. There are still many things unfinished, but is that always bad? “Desire is the chariot-wheel of the soul, the spring of energy and delight” (Bridges). This is another way of saying, “There is no kind of knowledge which, in the hands of the diligent and skillful, will not turn to account” (Bp. Horne). Yet it is good to know and grasp your opportunity.

Oh, what sins of the tongue most of us are guilty of! How difficult it is for sinful creatures to control that little member! Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Pr. 18:21). Thomas Carlyle called the message of this Proverb, “Silence, the great empire of silence, higher than the stars; deeper than the kingdom of death. Woe to us if we have nothing but what we can show or speak. Bees will not work except in darkness; thought will not work except in silence.”

In today’s verse and 18:5 we are given a striking illustration of the injustice of political or religious persecution. Injustice in the courts is denounced. To punish can mean “a fine or levy” (2 Kg. 23:33), while to strike probably involves the severer punishment of scourging. 17:26 is the first of four places where the words It is not good appear (18:5, 19:2, 25:27). The simple negative in Scripture is usually much stronger, and not so simple, than it might appear. The not good of these Proverbs should be understood as “absolutely bad, very evil” (17:15), morally, socially, politically, and spiritually! It also may mean “even” (28), even to punish (fine) an innocent person is bad. It may have its more obvious sense of “besides other things” it is bad to do this (19:2). Princes or noble ones are such because they are liberal, generous, in character. Thus it came to designate office or rank. In life princes have often been weak and ignoble. The princes here refer to God’s nobles.

When Wisdom enters the heart (2:10) it must rule there (14:33), for it is the Word of God. “The prudent man keeps the word of God constantly in view. But the foolish man cannot fix his thoughts, nor pursue any purpose with steadiness” (Henry). It also directs the faith and life of the wise by the principle of the Love of God. All this is before the eyes of the one who is here contrasted with the fool.

In Proverbs 17:8 it was the importance of one’s motive in gift giving that was stressed. If it is an attempt to influence a decision, then clearly it is a bribe. We say, “money talks,” or “money makes the mare go!” God’s Word takes a different view of the place of money in verses 15 and 23. In a nutshell, it says, “money burns many. It is the servant of the wise, but the master of fools.”

2. OUTER HARMONY: A Merry heart, true Joy, comes from hearts that have been born-again, hearts that are controlled by the Holy Spirit. This medicine heals, bringing inner harmony. It also touches the lives that we contact daily. Are not miserable Christians, like Job’s comforters, a sad contradiction, and just as useless? How about you? Do people take note of the transformation in your life, and ask the reason for the hope that is within you (1 Pet. 3:15)? Is Christ’s Joy the strength and the happiness of your life?

1. INNER HARMONY: The Christian life should not be characterised as “doom and gloom.” Solomon rebukes the laughter of fools (Eccl. 7:6), for the end of that mirth is heaviness (14:13). Such mirth is not medicine but madness (Eccl. 2:2). A merry heart does good like a medicine. “Our Lord thus made a merry heart by his message of forgiveness (Mt. 9:2-8); and this doubtless was a more healing medicine to the paralytic, than the restoration of his limbs” (Bridges).

We have noted before the vital connection that exists between mind and body, between physical and spiritual health. It is also known that the one cannot suffer without affecting the other, or the contrary. Thus a merry heart, a cheerful mind, a spirit that is contented and at ease, will be a source of strength and stamina. When, however, the spirit is broken, the body and mind will both be laid low. A broken spirit drieth the bones. A distressed mind can cause a sickening and shattering of the body. How vital and valuable, then, is a merry heart. How does one secure this merry heart, and keep it, too?