Proclamation:
“Above all else, guard your heart, for
everything you do flows from it. Keep
your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your
gaze directly before you. Give careful
thought to the paths of your feet and be steadfast in your ways.” Proverbs 4:23-26 (NIV)
Explanation:
This proverb, like all of the other
proverbs, was written by King Solomon under the influence of The Holy Spirit of
God to provide instruction and guidance to the people of God. This fourth proverb also addresses wisdom, knowledge,
and understanding. Solomon begins this
proverb by saying do not forget what he has taught them. (Proverbs 4:1-2) He then goes on to say that these were the same
words which were taught to him when he was young. (Proverbs 4:3-5) He follows this with a discourse on what
wisdom can do for those who embrace her. (Proverbs 4:6-9) Then, as in the previous proverbs, he advises
them not to walk in the paths of the wicked (Proverbs 4:14-19) and states the
importance of heeding his words. (Proverbs 4:30-27)
Application:
All too often we say things that we should
not say. Blessings and cursing should
not come out of the same mouth. (James 3:10-11)
Our words can hurt others, and can cut them like a sword. (Psalm 57:4
and Proverbs 12:18) Unfortunately, the
words which come out of our mouth reflect the issues of our heart. (Proverbs
4:23 and Luke 6:45) That is why we need
to guard our hearts, to keep them from doing hurt to others and from being hurt
by others. The words that we speak
should reflect Christian conversation. (Colossians 4:6) Our language should not be the same as those
who do not know The Lord God. Every word
that we speak will be judged, even the idle insignificant words. (Matthew
12:36) If we keep our eyes and our mind
on Him, then our words and our walk will follow His way.
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