December 10, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 10
Click above for full KJV Online

Today's Pathway:previous - - - - - - - - - - - - next
Click above to go directly to TP
Following Scripture Verses

1. The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
2. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
3. The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.
4. He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
5. He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
6. Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
7. The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
8. The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
9. He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
10. He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
11. The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
12. Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
13. In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
14. Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
15. The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16. The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
17. He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
18. He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
19. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
20. The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
21. The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
22. The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
23. It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
24. The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
25. As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
26. As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
27. The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
28. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
29. The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
30. The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
31. The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
32. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

Today's Pathway:
You may click on verses for Scripture

"The tongue of the just [is as] choice silver: the heart of the wicked [is] little worth." - Proverbs 10:20

We find an interesting contrast in today's proverb. Solomon compares the tongue of the just man to the heart of the wicked man. If you were to ask the average man on the street which of these two organs is most important, he would certainly reply that the heart is. No one wants to lose the use of his tongue, but it is of far less value than the human heart.

This is not the position that Solomon takes. In fact, what determines the value is not the organ itself, but rather the character of the person possessing the organ. The tongue of a righteous man is like silver. There are two lessons here. First of all it has great value. It brings encouragement, edification, and exhortation to those hearing it, and ultimately brings glory to God. Thus, a just man needs to understand that his words carry great weight and can provide a great blessing to those that hear him. He should not be afraid to use his tongue to meet the spiritual needs of others. The second lesson is this: if you have an unpleasant tongue, then you are not a just man. It does not matter how often you go to church or do good deeds if your speech is hateful or harmful. Just men have silver tongues, and those with dirty, nasty tongues are not just.

When it comes to the heart, Solomon writes that if it beats within a wicked man it is of little worth. It may be the source of his life, but his life is being lived in opposition to God and His people. It may be the source of his emotions, but his feelings are all heading in the wrong direction. Therefore, though it may be considered important by man, it has little value before God.

Your character matters. Be just, and your tongue will increase in value. Be wicked, and your heart's worth will decrease.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery