Tag Archives: spoken word

PROVERBS 19 THE FOLLY OF RUSHING

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November 19

PROVERBS 19

Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity
    than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.
2 Desire without knowledge is not good,
    and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.
3 When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin,
    his heart rages against the Lord.
4 Wealth brings many new friends,
    but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
5 A false witness will not go unpunished,
    and he who breathes out lies will not escape.

                                                                    – Proverbs 19

PROVERBS 19 THE FOLLY OF RUSHING

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When one rushes to do anything, he misses something

It is better to plan and take your time in anything

A hasty decision will lead to bad consequences

But a well-thought of choice will bring much success

Rushing is a manifestation of foolishness and recklessness

When one is prudent and patient, he displays righteousness

Don’t ever rush anything and you will be wise

Make a habit of rushing and you will be without insight.

Can you remember if there is anyone in the bible who rushed? Did Jesus ever rushed or done something in haste? I don’t recall any because there isn’t one. In John 11, even when he was called to come quickly to his beloved friend Lazarus who was dying, he still took his time. Of course it wasn’t to torture Lazarus’ sister, but he delayed it so that the He can be glorified through it. He showed to them that he is the Resurrection and Life.

Why do we have this habit of rushing? Could it be that we rush because of recklessness and following the world’s standard? Could it be because we are impatient or because we didn’t manage our time and didn’t set boundaries with ourselves and with others?

REFLECTION

  • What are some results of hasty actions and decisions?

November 18

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PROVERBS 18

19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,
    and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
    he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
    and those who love it will eat its fruits.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing
    and obtains favor from the Lord.
23 The poor use entreaties,
    but the rich answer roughly.
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin,
    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

                                                                    – Proverbs 18:19-24

PROVERBS 18 THE POWER OF THE TONGUE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The tongue is a very small member in our body

And yet, it controls our whole being tremendously

Like a rudder to a ship, it guides the direction of large ships

Like a bit in the horses’ mouth, it brings them to obedience

Death and life are anchored in whatever comes from the tongue

It can bless and build up someone, but it can also ridicule and destroy.

In the book of James, in chapter three, he gives us a picture of the power of the tongue.  He compares it to a fire where even with such a small fire, it can put a great forest to ablaze. He says that it is set among other parts of the body, but it can set on fire the entire course of our lives. James also says that it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. He further tells us that any animal can be tamed, but no human tongue can be controlled. No wonder we have been warned to guard our mouth by the Lord himself.

REFLECTION

  • How do you think a man can control his tongue if the bible says that it is untameable?

November 18

PROVERBS 18

19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,
    and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
    he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
    and those who love it will eat its fruits.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing
    and obtains favor from the Lord.
23 The poor use entreaties,
    but the rich answer roughly.
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin,
    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

                                                                    – Proverbs 18:19-24

PROVERBS 18 THE POWER OF THE TONGUE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The tongue is a very small member in our body

And yet, it controls our whole being tremendously

Like a rudder to a ship, it guides the direction of large ships

Like a bit in the horses’ mouth, it brings them to obedience

Death and life are anchored in whatever comes from the tongue

It can bless and build up someone, but it can also ridicule and destroy.

In the book of James, in chapter three, he gives us a picture of the power of the tongue.  He compares it to a fire where even with such a small fire, it can put a great forest to ablaze. He says that it is set among other parts of the body, but it can set on fire the entire course of our lives. James also says that it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. He further tells us that any animal can be tamed, but no human tongue can be controlled. No wonder we have been warned to guard our mouth by the Lord himself.

REFLECTION

  • How do you think a man can control his tongue if the bible says that it is untameable?

PROVERBS 18 WHEN YOU ARE QUICK TO SPEAK

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November 17

PROVERBS 18

13 If one gives an answer before he hears,
    it is his folly and shame.
14 A man’s spirit will endure sickness,
    but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
    and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him
    and brings him before the great.
17 The one who states his case first seems right,
    until the other comes and examines him.
18 The lot puts an end to quarrels
    and decides between powerful contenders.

                                                                    – Proverbs 18:13-18

PROVERBS 18 WHEN YOU ARE QUICK TO SPEAK

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When one is quick to speak and slow to hear

He will not see the whole picture but parts of it

This will make him have a limited perspective

He will surely presume and make unwise statements

It is wise for us to be quick to hear and slow to speak

But those quick to speak are fools bound to make mistakes.

How do you know if a person is wise or is a fool? The wise are quick to hear but fools are quick to speak. That is a sure way to detect wisdom in people. Listening is a novelty in our society where everyone wants to talk. People are not even aware why they say something, they just want to be heard or given attention. No one wants to be quiet and listen so they can learn.

In Luke 10:38-42, we watch Martha talk, and work and complain to Jesus about her sister Mary, who just sat at Jesus’ feet listening to what her master was saying. Jesus valued the choice of Mary wanting to be in his presence and hungry for his word.

REFLECTION

  • How can we avoid speaking fast and make a habit of being quick to listen?

PROVERBS 18 THE TROUBLE WITH ISOLATION

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November 14

PROVERBS 18

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;
    he breaks out against all sound judgment.
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
    but only in expressing his opinion.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,
    and with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
    the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked
    or to deprive the righteous of justice.
6 A fool’s lips walk into a fight,
    and his mouth invites a beating.

                                                                    – Proverbs 18:1-6

PROVERBS 18 THE TROUBLE WITH ISOLATION

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When someone isolates himself, he opens door for evil to enter

Since the enemy wants you to forget God, he’ll give you desires

These desires are focused on fulfilling the cravings of the flesh

Satan will entice you to sin by ensuring you are on your own

The trouble with isolation is that it makes you have a tunnel vision

Since you only spend time with yourself, you have no clue about others

When you are isolated, your mind begins to believe only what you know

It begins to believe all the lies that the devil plants in your head.

Why did God create another human being after Adam? In Gen. 2:18, he said that it is not good that man should be alone. So, he made him a helper. Whenever we isolate, we defy that solution that God gave for man not to be by himself. As Solomon says in verse 1 of this Proverbs, sin and no sound judgment are results of isolation. No wonder, many mental illnesses are rooted from isolation. In 1 Peter 5:8, we are warned that the devil prowls like a roaring lion to devour us. He can easily do that when we are secluded.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it important for us to be with others and not just be by ourselves always?

PROVERBS 17 A JOYFUL HEART VERSUS A CRUSHED SPIRIT

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November 13

PROVERBS 17

21 He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow,
    and the father of a fool has no joy.
22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 The wicked accepts a bribe in secret
    to pervert the ways of justice.
24 The discerning sets his face toward wisdom,
    but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

                                                                    – Proverbs 17:21-24

PROVERBS 17 A JOYFUL HEART VERSUS A CRUSHED SPIRIT

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When one has the fear of the Lord, he has joy and wisdom

A joyful heart prevents the deterioration of the body

But a crushed spirit pulls everyone it meets down

The one who dwells on life’s miseries dries up his bones

Rejoice in the Lord and you’ll be content and satisfied

Keep your eyes on the world and you will be dissatisfied.

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he teaches them the secret to a joyful heart which is contentment. Philippians 4:11-12  He says that he has learned in whatever situation that he is to be content, whether he has plenty or he has lack, abundance or need. If one dwells on the things that they lack, covetousness and temptations will visit one’s heart. But if a person’s heart is focused on thanksgiving no matter how big or little it is, he begins to count his blessings and recognize the blessings that he has received. Then rejoicing automatically follows. Paul also writes to Timothy that godliness with contentment is great gain in 1 Timothy 6:6-11. He says that since we brought nothing into the world, we cannot take anything out of the world, so he suggests for the believers to be content.  Man’s desires and cravings lead him to temptations, covetousness, discontent and the book of James says the same that these cravings give birth to sin which crushes our spirits and sucks out the joy in our hearts.

REFLECTION

  • How can we avoid being depressed and discontented  and have more joy?

November 12

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PROVERBS 17

16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
    but a fool flaunts his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
    but a faithful envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction,
    but whoever heeds reproof is honored.
19 A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
    but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

                                                                    – Proverbs 17:16-20

PROVERBS 17 WHEN ONE IGNORES INSTRUCTION

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When one doesn’t listen to counsel from wise people

He will encounter difficulties, poverty and disgrace

When a parent brings up his children in wisdom and truth

That child learns to obey and follow directions

But when children are left on their own without reproof

They also learn how to be defiant and ignore instructions.

Paul instructs the Ephesian church as to the importance of bringing up children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord in Ephesians 6:1-4. He mentions that to honor your parents is the first commandment with a promise. Things will go well with those who obey their parents. There is also strict instruction to the fathers not to provoke their children in anger but to discipline them in God’s laws.

Solomon gives us the result when people ignore instructions in verse 18 which leads to poverty and disgrace. In Proverbs 29:15 he says that the rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. He further admonishes parents to discipline your child and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart. It is sad that in today’s world, many parents don’t bring up their children in God’s instructions.

REFLECTION

  • Share some insights regarding lack of discipline in children in our society now.

PROVERBS 17 THOSE WHO SEEK REBELLION

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November 11

PROVERBS 17

11 An evil man seeks only rebellion,
    and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs
    rather than a fool in his folly.
13 If anyone returns evil for good,
    evil will not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
    so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous
    are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

                                                                    – Proverbs 17:11-15

PROVERBS 17 THOSE WHO SEEK REBELLION

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Those who love to go against authority seek rebellion

They do not respect anyone else but themselves alone

Whoever stirs up an insurgence is doing it against the Lord himself

God placed authorities in our lives so we can be accountable to them

Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft and stubbornness as bad as idols

When we rebel, we are defying God’s laws and dishonoring the Lord.

Solomon described in this proverb that rebellion is an act of an evil person. Romans 13:1-2 says that everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So, anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. Paul continues to explain in verses 4-5 that authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So, you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. So those who don’t submit to authority are rebels.

REFLECTION

  • How is rebellion the sin of witchcraft as 1 Samuel 15:23 says?

PROVERBS 17 ON COVERING AN OFFENSE

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November 10

PROVERBS 17

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
    and the glory of children is their fathers.
7 Fine speech is not becoming to a fool;
    still less is false speech to a prince.
8 A bribe is like a magicstone in the eyes of the one who gives it;
    wherever he turns he prospers.
9 Whoever covers an offense seeks love,
    but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
10 A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding
    than a hundred blows into a fool.

                                                                    – Proverbs 17:6-10

PROVERBS 17 ON COVERING AN OFFENSE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Love is patient, kind and doesn’t give up

It is not easily offended and slow to react

To cover an offense is a manifestation of love

Those who do not love, holds on to faults

When one covers an offense, he shows forgiveness

When one holds on to offense, they are unrighteous.

One of the hardest things to do is to let go of offense. Because we are fallen people and have inherited sin from Adam and Eve, we automatically get offended. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he described what the way of love. It is very different from how the world defines love. He says that the way of love manifests patience, kindness, humility, doesn’t hold on to wrongdoings, forgiving, rejoices with truth, believes all things, endures all things and never gives up. The world’s way on the other hand is the opposite. It is quick to react, harsh, arrogant and hides the truth, easily gives up and focuses on the self.

Covering an offense is a loving manifestation of a forgiving heart. When we let go of offense and focus on forgiving, we close the doors to Satan to eliminate us from being his prey that he can devour.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it important to cover the offenses that others have committed to us?

PROVERBS 17 WHEN YOU MOCK THE POOR

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November 9

PROVERBS 17

 Better is a dry morsel with quiet
   than a house full of feastingwith strife.
2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully
    and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
3 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
    and the Lord tests hearts.
4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
    and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

5 Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker;
    he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

                                                                    – Proverbs 17:1-5

PROVERBS 17 WHEN YOU MOCK THE POOR

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you serve the Lord your God, you must be impartial

To prefer the rich rather than the poor insults your Maker

God created humans and he made them all equal

When you mock the poor, you are also mocking your Maker.

The book of James in chapter 2 talks about the sin of partiality. He says that if you serve the Lord Jesus Christ, you should have nothing to do with any form of discrimination. He gives the example of a situation when a rich man enters an assembly and wears a gold ring and fine clothing and another poor man in shabby clothing also comes in and you give preference to the rich one and treat the poor man badly, you have made distinctions and become judges with evil thoughts. Then James continues to tell us that God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of his kingdom.

Solomon also admonishes us not to mock the poor because if we do so, we are insulting our Maker. Genesis 1:27 says that we are all made in God’s image, man and woman alike. He didn’t make one better than the other, but he has all his DNA of righteousness planted in our hearts. When we go against the way he made us we are mocking him. We are presuming that we know better than he does.

REFLECTION

  • What are some ways we can mock the poor that can insult our Lord?

PROVERBS 16 WHEN ONE IS SLOW TO ANGER

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November 8

PROVERBS 16

30 Whoever winks his eyes plan dishonest things;
    he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;
    it is gained in a righteous life.
32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
    and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
    but its every decision is from the Lord.

                                                                    – Proverbs 16:30-33

PROVERBS 16 WHEN ONE IS SLOW TO ANGER

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When one has patience and can control his temper

He is better than the strong and the mighty

When one isn’t easily provoked, he will gain friends

But the one who is quick to get angry is avoided

Whoever exercises control over his mouth and emotions

He is stronger because he does not give in to dysregulation.

There are some things that are hard to control in our lives. One of them is our tongue. The book of James explains in chapter 3 that the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. He says that animals can be tamed but the tongue of man is untameable. It is a restless evil full of deadly poison and is set on fire by hell. So, since we all have a tongue that is impossible to be tamed, it is probably wise for us know how to control our mouths. From the same mouth we can either bless or curse someone. When we are angry, most likely the tongue will manifest it through harsh or cruel words and can be followed by the hand or other parts of our bodies that can hurt others. Anger in itself is not a sin but Paul says in Ephesians 4:26-27 “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil”. No wonder Solomon stresses the importance of being slow to anger and how valuable it is. He thinks that when one is slow to anger, he is stronger than the mighty.

REFLECTION

  • How is controlling our mouths the beginning of controlling anger?