Did you all see the verse of the day. These are just wise old sayings. I thought today's was particularly appropriate to blogs. And to those that post there.
Proverbs 18:20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is filled;
Proverbs 18:20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is filled;
with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
My comments:
It speaks of the power of the tongue - the words you use. They affect others obviously, but they also affect you.
The tongue's fruit are words ... what comes out of the mouth formed by the tongue.
It is saying you will reap what you sow. Words are powerful. Just think of the words you say to yourself, about yourself.
And on here, anonymity has given people the feeling they can say whatever they want without facing any recriminations. But, your own words will come back to you.
That is why it is better to speak positive words than negative words.
My comments:
It speaks of the power of the tongue - the words you use. They affect others obviously, but they also affect you.
The tongue's fruit are words ... what comes out of the mouth formed by the tongue.
It is saying you will reap what you sow. Words are powerful. Just think of the words you say to yourself, about yourself.
And on here, anonymity has given people the feeling they can say whatever they want without facing any recriminations. But, your own words will come back to you.
That is why it is better to speak positive words than negative words.
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21 comments:
I suggest:
Proverbs 1:5:
"A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel"
What about predestination?
that's what she said!
18:21 is a little vague in the last phrase. What do you love, death or life? The one that we love we will eat the fruit of. Will we eat the fruit of death? Or will we eat the fruit of life?
Anybody's words are spirit; Jesus is not the only one whose words are spirit (John 6:63). The difference between us and Him is that His words are always life. His words are always abundant, eternal, or everlasting life. They surcharge the air to move us, our hearts, our minds, our spirits in the direction that they are moving. If we would yield to them, we can be carried along by them all the way into the Kingdom of God. This is why there is life in them!
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of any of us—that our words are life—because often times our words carry death with them. They do not go forth in the best of attitudes, backed with a unclear understanding of what is really going on, and all too often we speak far too hastily and emotionally.
What the Bible calls "spirit" can be communicated. It is almost as if it surcharges the environment. The words and the disposition or environment in which they are delivered and received are important to its communication. How many times have we said something to somebody who became confused, upset, angry, or frustrated at what we said, and we had to apologize or explain further by saying, "Well, that's not what I meant"? Yet, that was how the receiver heard it. Things were communicated that to the recipient colored what was sent. Communication is a terribly difficult aspect of life.
I do not interpret any karmic "reap what you sow" message in this verse. I think you are trying to water this down to make a point. (According to this blog, I think that makes you passive-aggressive ;))
WRT to 18:20, I interpret no "reap what you sow." It seems to speak to intelligent discourses contributing to the satisfaction of the speaker, as well as to the good of the listeners. The converse (unitelligent tending to dissatisfaction), I suppose could be postulated, interpret it as you will.
Just so I don't come across as a boo-bird, I could not agree more with Lagonda. My interpretation here is along the lines of Wesley. Willingness to learn, and the ability to 'filter' what is heard will result in meaningful learning. Anonymous bloggers (myself include) will spew all sorts of nonsense, the onus is on the reader to determine what has any actual value.
Good comments.
These verses don't have anything to do with predestination.
That's a really complex philosophical and theological issue.
I do not think this is a good place for that discussion.
:)
Ill just say, there is a difference between for-knowledge and for-ordained.
There are no passive-aggressive people, only passive-aggressive actions.
Mankind's greatest gift from God is the gift of self determination.
Sorry Lagonda...that should have read - "that makes you a person who exhibits passive-aggressiveness." I don't know what came over me!
I was always told in Sunday school it was his love and the gift of our immortal souls. Would you spot me a Bible verse about self determination? I'm confused.
Words are powerfull things. God spoke, and the world was created. God spoke, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Words can build up and edify, or they can tear down and destroy. There is no truth to the old adage, "Sticks and stones..." Words can hurt. How many of us have said something in the heat of an argument that we now wish we could take back?
Matthew 15:15 "15 Peter said to Him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 Jesus said, “Are you still lacking in understanding also? 17 “Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? 18 “But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. 19 “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. 20 “These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.”
Choose your words carefully.
"I have chosen my words carefully Persian. Perhaps you should have done the same."
It is hard to see the meaning of this passage without considering verses 10-14 as well. Interpretation is always up to the reader, so I won't argue with you. Suffice to say I think there is way more to the verses you quote than simply "watch what you say."
Hunter:
Doesn't have to be that way. Everyone has the gift of free will and I choose to believe that people can change for the better.
Judge the action, not the person.
Ask the person to change the action.
Everyone wins.
Suffice to say I think there is way more to the verses you quote than simply "watch what you say."
>>>>
Yes !
I was only going for the plain meaning in those specific verses.
Taken in the context of the whole, there is more.
But in Proverbs - which is a collection of wisdom sayings - it is more acceptable to just go with the verse.
There is always more to it.
Thats the beauty of the scriptures.
in my opinion :)
you never can learn it all.
ED-
I would give you that with the Proverbs. It's not so easy to allow it with the gospel. I was referring to the poster at 2:50.
It's not so easy to allow it with the gospel.
>>
Yea definitely.
THere are different types of literature, and they should be read differently.
On February 8, 2009 5:13 PM, Anonymous wrote...
ED-
I would give you that with the Proverbs. It's not so easy to allow it with the gospel. I was referring to the poster at 2:50.
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Agreed.
Proof texting can be dangerous...
However, I fail to see where there is anythging in my post that you could find disagreement with.
Which words do you believe were not chosen carefully?
It's about what is in your heart, not choosing your words. You are taking the words out of context.
Anonymous said...
It's about what is in your heart, not choosing your words. You are taking the words out of context.
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That's not what the text says, both the Proverb, and the Gospel text clearly imply that it is the tongue, and what procedes from the mouth which defiles, kills...
Certainly, these things begin in the heart, but how will anyone know what the heart contains unless it comes out?
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