The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Proverbs 17-20
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people
Background Information: Proverbs 17-20
“The one who has knowledge restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a person of understanding. Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent—
discerning, when he seals his lips.”
17:27-28
It is enlightening to read through the book of Proverbs and look specifically for verses that address the use of words, sometimes called “the lips,” or “mouth,” or “tongue.” Pay attention to other uses of words like “gossip” and “bribes.” Why is there so much attention to what we say in a book of wisdom? It is because on a day-to-day basis, nothing reveals the condition of our hearts more than the content of our words.
“A good person produces good out of the good stored up in his heart. An evil person produces evil out of the evil stored up in his heart, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.”
Jesus, Luke 6:45
Our words, Jesus said, flow from our hearts. So what we say, how we say it, and why we say it are a kind of “check engine” light for the condition of our hearts. The solution is not merely to “stop talking.” To be self-protective and only avoid risk is not wisdom or faith. Proverbs also has much to say about the power and beauty of wise words. Wisdom doesn’t just avoid foolish words; it pursues wise and helpful ones.
In the book of James, which is often said to be the New Testament equivalent of Proverbs, we read:
“For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body.”
James 3:2
James, the half-brother of Jesus, was well aware of how hard it is to control the tongue. Once again, we are confronted with the biblical reality of a life of direction, not one of settled perfection. We should be encouraged by the fact that we are not going to reach perfection in our words any more than we will reach a state of sinless perfection in any area of our lives. But be encouraged to never give up the pursuit of perfect wisdom in our words, even when we find ourselves imperfect and foolish in what we say. Wisdom is never satisfied with anything less than words that glorify God and bring good into the lives of others. Wisdom also refuses to let today’s imperfection keep us from the pursuit of Christlike perfection. In Proverbs, as in your life this side of heaven, wisdom is a path to walk, not a destination at which you will arrive.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray that the gospel would be faithfully proclaimed in churches throughout Wichita. Pray that people would respond in repentance and faith to the gospel message declared tomorrow.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.