Day 397: True security - Proverbs 18 vs 6 - 12

6-7 A fool’s lips bring contention and strife, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are the snare of his soul. 8 The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels; they go down into the innermost chambers of the body (to be mused upon). 9 He who is careless in his work Is a brother to him who destroys.

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high. 11-12 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall (of protection) in his own imagination and conceit. Before disaster the heart of a man is haughty and filled with self-importance, but humility comes before honour. Proverbs 18:6-12 From the Amplified Bible

There are things in life that you will often find together and today's verses are an example of that. Fighting talk and arrogance usually go hand in glove – and ultimately lead to wasted lives. Verses 6-7 would be true of many of the folk who frequent bars and nightclubs. Quick to get into arguments and say things that lead to a brawl. But words can be the ruin of other people too. People can say foolish things that lead to lawsuits, dismissals from work or marriage breakups. Foolish talk is indeed a snare of the soul.

But it's not only aggressive words that cause damage, what other words does the writer warn us against in vs 8?

Words that are ‘whispered’ because they have mischief in mind are also a poison to those who gleefully listen to them. The Amplified Version inserts the word 'gossip' in brackets to suggest that could also be intended in the phrase 'words of a whisperer'. Gossip can be exciting, but it's usually at the expense of someone else’s reputation. And, just as fighting talk and arrogance go together, so gossip is often spread by the sort of folk who are 'careless in their work', as mentioned in vs 9. In the days of the apostle Paul it seems that many younger widows were vulnerable to this temptation, and he says: “They learn to be idle, going from house to house. They are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say.”  It seems that, just as arrogant fighting talk is found more in men, so gossip seems to be a danger for women.

Verses 11-12 then speak of the arrogance that leads to a false security in life. The wealth spoken of in vs 11 can certainly provide security in this world. But, as Jesus taught, it can also be very deceptive. He said to people: “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions. A rich man’s land was very productive and he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? I will do this: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there.  Then I’ll say to myself, 'You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.' But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared - whose will they be?’” (Luke 12:15-20)

In contrast to the arrogant words and trusting in wealth which are likely to lead to the ruin of one's soul, where does vs 10 say that true security will be found?

The Name of the Lord here would signify the only true God, and, by running to this true God of all the earth, those who seek righteousness find security for their soul. They humble themselves and cast off all arrogance and trust in wealth, and they seek the protection of God - and He protects them from evil and sets them on high. But to do that we need to know His name. In the Old Testament God gave a name by which He was known to Israel, and in the New Testament He has given a name which is above all other names by which we find eternal security. When God sent His Son into the world an angel told Joseph: “You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) The name of Jesus Christ is a strong tower – a true refuge for our soul.