“Laws of Life” Part II ( Proverbs 13)

 “Laws of Life Part II ( Proverbs 13)

He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: ( vs. 2&3). The word “keepeth” has what I would call a noble meaning and everyday working definitions. The noble meaning has to do with keeping God’s Word on your lips and in your heart. I think we come short in understanding this responsibility and fail to give God’s Word its rightful place in our lives. We live distracted lives, lives that get tangled up in the minutiae of this life. When focused on knowing the Lord and His life through us, Life is much, much, bigger. You see with eyes that look for opportunity for God to gain ground, both in your life and in the lives of others, and you become a ready conduit for His life to flow through you as you become a citizen of heaven. This is the highest definition of the word and truly the only hope there is for our world.

The every day meanings, and there are two;  both having good and practical definitions, just not as life changing as the first. One is to be trustworthy with sensitive knowledge. Once personal knowledge has been entrusted to you, it stays with you. You are trustworthy because you “keep your mouth.” The other meaning has to do with keeping your speech pertinent. You say what is needful and helpful and that’s where it stops. No gossip or telling rumors. “Running of the mouth,” infers to people that not only violate this but also violate the trust that others have placed with you. Often times gossipers speak just to hear themselves speak. They add no real quality or help to the conversation. A lot of talk/news programs in my opinion remind of this. The host and his guest just rattle on, maybe making a few good points but really are not helping or being sensitive to the situation, or to the people affected by what they are taking about. They add more “noise” to the topic than anything else.

“….but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.” There comes a point when you have said too much and now it is going to cost you. I think divorce is a very sad example of this. Instead of walking away from an argument and considering our words, we react from a place of hurt and say things that can’t be taken back. To be a man or woman of honor and react to hurtful words without first considering why they’re said is to play the fool and there is nothing honorable in that. Maybe the other party has a hurt that we are not aware of, or maybe they have lost control and given a cooling off period will recant their words. It’s times like this that someone has to chose the noble road and it might as well be us. It will be to our honor and to God’s glory. Proverbs 16:20 speaks to this, “He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord ( instead of running off with our mouth), happy is he,” and Proverbs 19:11, “The discretion (or wisdom) of a man (or woman) makes him slow to anger, and it is to his glory (or honor) to overlook an offense.” What makes God so Great is that He forgives, heals and restores. If we follow suit, by the grace He supplies, we will represent Him well.

“Only by pride cometh contention:” If we boil pride down to its most rudimentary and crude definition, what is it? Or better asked, what do the words “pride, sin and I” have in common, it’s the letter “I.” It’s about me, is the most basic definition of pride. Yet a humble person never thinks like this; it’s about us, you and me, and unless we both win we both have lost. Pride only breeds contention because it cares nothing about understanding the other person. It’s only concerned about getting its point across, therefore there can be no peace or harmony and the relationship will never grow. In fact there is a good chance you are actually going backwards. Sounds weird but growth is necessary to maintain harmony and interest. It’s the emotional “glue” of a relationship. When growth stops, then dissatisfaction has the opportunity to begin. Growth can take making forms, becoming better friends, going through challenges together, or the best is growing in Christ. There are times that your spouse or friend may get “stuck” by life and your consistent example of God’s love is a tool that God can use to move them forward. And if love is present, pride cannot rule.

“But with the well advised is wisdom.” What does it mean to be well advised? In context we are talking about life, and “LIFE” is a huge topic. Mental learning is only one part of it, “emotional smarts” is as important, if not more important. I cannot tell you how my knowledge of the Bible stories have helped me deal with problems of today. I know the scriptures were written in a different period, but the heart of man has remained consistently the same. And more importantly, God has remained the same. The way He dealt with sin then is how He deals with sin now.  And the way He responds to a man or woman of faith then, is how He responds now. So in many ways I can predict God’s response. I can say “God this problem is too big for me, I don’t have the smarts or the energy to deal with. I ask that You would, according to your will and glory.” Having prayed this I know God will respond. I don’t know when or how, but that I have  His attention, I definitely have that! And this is just one example of how wisdom, or the “well advised” plays out on the stage of every day life. To make this a habit is to live the best God has to give – it’s super cool when God is trusted and given the freedom to be God.

Dear Father,

This is a short devotional but the truth You have shared are life changing. Help us to heed your love and release our fears, insecurities and all the securities we cling so tight too and give that space completely over to You. We were created to “operate” as such, and are so much more alive and human when we operate according to our Creators purpose. Love is our gas and anything else takes away from our performance. Thank you and Amen.