Proverbs 18

Verse one really intrigued me. It is so easy to get caught up in your own mind about something. You don’t want to hear what anyone else has to say about the matter. You want to be right in your own mind. It reminds me of Romans 12:16. It is no wonder that the book of Proverbs encourages not only to surround ourselves with wise counsel, but also to stay out of the path of fools. We, as humans , whether we like to admit it or not, are influenced by the people around us. It was interesting for me to think about verse one because it not only reminded me that we are to be careful who we spend our time with, but we also must remember to spend time with people. We were created as relational beings. Having no outside influences can be just as bad as poor influences.
If we are putting others first, then we will be seeking to understand and not be understood. As Christians we should always being trying to put others needs before our own. That being said, our priority should be to listen and understand. We need to not be so quick to get our point across.
Words of wisdom refresh a thirsty or dry soul. I love when someone says something to me and it just washes me with refreshment.
We don’t want to go looking for fights. We must remember our words have the power to uplift or destroy.
V 10…I’m so grateful that I am safe in the arms of Jesus. We can remember to find safety in the characteristics of God; faithfulness, mercy, power, wisdom and truth.
Haughtiness brings destruction, but humility brings honor.
A broken spirit…isn’t it true…who can bear it? I thought of it like a broken heart…the funny thing about a broken heart is that it hurts so you feel like you should be dead. Even in sickness if your spirit is well it will sustain you. Having a broken spirit can make you physically ill.
If we are prudent and wise we will seek after knowledge.
V24… “…warns that the person who makes friends too indiscriminately or too easily does so to his own destruction. On the other hand, a friend chosen wisely is more loyal than a brother. “Friend” was a strong word meaning “one who loves” and was used of Abraham, God’s friend.” MacArther Study Bible Commentary.