April 18th, 2026
Scriptures – “An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels. Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. To answer before listening— that is folly and shame. In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines. From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Proverbs 18:1-2, 6-8, 13, 17, 20-21 NIV
Observation – We can use our words wisely or foolishly. The person that is careful to listen and chooses their words purposefully is a person of understanding and their words will be a blessing to those around them. The person that starts quarrels and forms opinions based on limited information is a fool and their mouths are their undoing. They love airing their own opinions and won’t listen to others because they are fools. People who speak before listening are fools. People that gossip are fools.
Application – Choose who you want to be, a wise man or a fool. Wisdom requires self-restraint and patience. Fools say what is on their minds and make excuses later, crediting themselves as passionate (that’s why they speak nonsense, you know because of their passion).
Prayer – Lord, help us to obey your word, which is truth, so that we can bless you and others by listening and responding with thoughtful questions and wisdom. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 