Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 17:4

by David Chadwick

“An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.”

Proverbs 17:4

Evildoers listen to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue. I don’t think any healthy individual would desire to be called an evildoer or a liar.

Who has wicked lips? I actually think many could fall into this category. Those who seek to slander and essentially kill someone with their words. Those who spread rumors and lies with evil intent. Those who seek to intimidate and bully others. Those who manipulate you for selfish gain. Those who seduce people into sinful behavior. The list could go on and on.

Don’t get near wicked lips! According to God’s Word, evildoers are those who listen to these kinds of wicked and twisted lips.

In the same way, you must be careful not to give an ear to mischievous tongues! What are some examples of this? Those who spread folly and seek to disturb peace. Those who aim to be sneaky and devious. Those who enjoy crude joking, filthy language, and foolish talk (Ephesians 5:3-5).

An evildoer and a liar both take two people to accomplish a mission. The one doing the evil slandering and lying and the one listening to the slander and lies. If no one listens, the person slandering gets shut down. This is such an important truth to remember. You can squash evil like this dead in its tracks by simply refusing to listen!

I will always remember a friend who, when hearing gossip or slander, would quietly say, “I’m not going to be a part of this” and simply walk away. It spoke volumes to the person slandering and quieted his tongue. That is the essence of what this proverb is trying to say. And it’s what my friend modeled.

The Bible is explicitly clear in this proverb that in order to not be an evildoer or a liar, we must be vigilant in what we take in through our ears.

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 17:3

by David Chadwick

“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.”

Proverbs 17:3

Silver is refined in the crucible, as is gold in the furnace. Similarly, our hearts and lives must be tested, purified, and refined by the Lord in whatever ways he sees fit.

Titus 2:14 says that Jesus “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” Jesus sacrificed his life to pave the way for humanity to be reunited with the Father. He died to redeem us and to purify us! Jesus loves us all so much, and at times, he may test our faith to make us more pure.

God tested Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22. It’s part of his nature and character to discipline his children. Hebrews 12:7 says, “It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” Every good father who really cares about his children desires for them to be trained up, equipped, and walking in maturity.

This is partly why we are to rejoice when trials come our way (Romans 5:3-5). When we walk through trials and are tested, we are given the invitation to grow and mature. Hard times, when handled righteously, produce patience, and patience produces character, and proven character gives us hope, which does not disappoint.

How else can God know if our faith is real if he doesn’t test it? Is it only through mere words? No! Words can be cheap. Daniel was proven worthy in the lion’s den. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fire. Abraham and Sarah as they waited for Isaac.

Fire always burns off selfish and sinful dross. It purifies the things that are hindering your faith from growing and advancing–that which is keeping you from being pure like silver and gold.

Let me challenge you to look at your tests of faith as positive things. Thank God for them! Every time, God is giving you a pop quiz. Be ready WHEN they occur. And pass them well. As you do, feel God’s delight in you.

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 17:1

by David Chadwick

“Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.”

Proverbs 17:1

Better is a dry, crusty morsel of bread in a peaceful home than a house with delicious food and delicacies that is full of strife.

Strife. Defined as “conflict or an angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues,” strife ruins relationships. It hinders momentum and stops the Gospel from moving forward. Biblically, in James 3:16, strife is also called “selfish ambition.”

If pride is the root of all evil, I would argue strife is one of the most wicked fruits that comes from pride. In fact, Marilynn and I know of a pastor who has only one firing offense: causing strife.

James 3:16 says, “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” This verse should cause all of us to pause the next time we feel tempted to stir up a problem.

Strife invites chaos, disorder, dissension, division, and dark, demonic activity. Strife is like an open door to the devil that says, “Come on in and do your dirty work in my life. You can destroy my family, my workspace, my friends, everything!”

As followers of Jesus, we must resist strife and selfish ambition with every ounce of our being. It must be avoided at all costs. But how, you might ask?

First, guard your words. Don’t respond in anger when someone speaks against you. Do not gossip or slander another person.

Secondly, pursue the fruit of the Spirit. Choose to love. Find joy. Seek peace. Be patient and kind. Do good. Be faithful and gentle. Develop self-control!

Third, choose to forgive. Living in bitterness and unforgiveness leaves you vulnerable to initiating and tolerating strife.

Finally, walk every day in Jesus’s perfect peace. After all, he is the Prince of Peace. Seek his kingdom and experience the benefits of his rulership!