A Moment of Hope

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 18:21

by David Chadwick "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." Proverbs 18:21 Did you know that our words are powerful? The Bible says the tongue is a small, yet powerful, part of the body and that we should keep a tight rein on it. It is powerful enough to even corrupt the whole body and set the whole course of one's life on fire (James 3:1-12). Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Death and life are certainly two extremes. It should sober all of us that something as small as the tongue in our mouths has the ability to bring about two diametrically different end results. Solomon knew the importance of words and regularly addressed the significance of the tongue, including the power and the danger of our words. In today's proverb, Solomon was emphasizing that words can either lift up or tear down. They can either drive toward despair or give eternal hope. They can cause lifelong scars or they can bind broken hearts. They can push toward depression or lift weary souls. They can win or lose games in sports or success in business. They truly do bring either death or life. As my mom used to say, "If you can't say anything good, don't say anything at all." We all must learn the power of the tongue and use it to speak life and to encourage others… especially to the next generation. Children desperately need to hear words of life from their parents, teachers, coaches, and other leaders. They are so eager to be encouraged and edified. They want to hear that you are proud of them. When we ingest food, it enters into our bodies and affects it. The same is true with words. Whether it's words we speak or hear, and whether good or bad, we internalize words and reap the effects of whatever we ingest. And sometimes they go deep within us and rummage around for a lifetime. So how should you apply this truth to your everyday life? First, guard your words. Be aware of what you are saying and use discretion. Secondly, speak positive words. Use your words to give life and motivate you and others. After all, death and life are in the power of the tongue.

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 18:17

by David Chadwick "The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him." Proverbs 18:17 Have you ever heard the phrase, "There are two sides to every story?" Or what about this one, "There are three sides to every story: your side, my side, and the truth." Today's proverb says something similar: "The one who states his case first seems right; until the other comes and examines him" Proverbs 18:17. If you have lived life for any amount of time, you have most likely found yourself in perplexing situations where the truth has been hard to discern. One side says one thing and the other side says something different. More than ever, we are living in times where this seems to be common. We should all be able to easily see how true today's proverb is! You hear one person's perspective on an issue and it seems accurate. This person tells you what he or she has seen and it seems right. In fact, his or her account sounds like the truth in every possible way. You might even nod in approval as you listen to his or her perspective. But then you hear the other side of the story from another person. Until this other perspective is given to you, you would have never thought it existed. Suddenly you realize that there is another side. All of the sudden, things don't feel quite so clear. This proverb's truth often plays out in a court of law. One lawyer asks a witness to give his perspective, and it seems right until the other lawyer has a chance to respond and cross-examine that witness. Many situations require tremendous wisdom in order to accurately come to a wise conclusion. So what does this mean for us today? Always make sure you hear both sides of a case before drawing a conclusion. People often examine an issue from their own perspective and even personal pain. Or, if directly involved in the dispute, people often listen with a bias and may be looking to build their own case. More often than not, there is another side to hear. Make sure you hear both, asking the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and discernment for where the actual truth lies (1 Corinthians 12:10).

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 18:10

by David Chadwick "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower. Just the whisper of his name provides a source of safety and protection for the righteous! What a profound reality this is for the children of God. Under the blood of Jesus, we have been made righteous in spite of our sin. And in that righteousness, according to today's proverb, we are offered safety through the name of the Lord. Under the new covenant, we now know the name of the Lord: his name is Jesus! And there is so much power in his name. The name of Jesus is the name above all other names. At the mere mention of the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and tongue will confess that he is Lord (Philippians 2:10). Therefore, when Satan pursues you, run to Jesus! Cry out to Jesus! Speak the name of Jesus! His name will protect you. His name is like a strong, high, fortified tower. When you run to Jesus, you automatically place yourself on higher ground. From that high place, you look down on the enemy and have every spiritual advantage at your disposal. You know that you sit next to Jesus in the heavenlies. He is at the right hand of the Father and we are at his right hand (Ephesians 2:6). The enemy has no power over you from that place. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Because of the name of Jesus, you are righteous. You are forgiven. You are adopted. You are loved. You are cherished. Dear friends, you must firmly believe that the enemy has no power over you. Death has lost its victory and sting (1 Corinthians 15:55). Because of the name of Jesus, you have been clothed in a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:3b). Cling firmly to the name of the Lord. Hide yourself under the shadow of the Most High (Psalm 91:1). He truly is your refuge and strength, an ever-present help in time of need (Psalm 46:1). And rise higher than any power of hell that pursues you.

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 18:8

by David Chadwick "The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body." Proverbs 18:8 A whisperer is defined as "anyone who speaks softly or in hushed tones." Sometimes a whisper brings peace, clarity, and a softness; much like the still soft voice of the Lord that guides us, leads us, and protects us (Isaiah 30:21). But when used incorrectly, whispering can be full of gossip and rumormongering. Proverbs 18:8 speaks specifically about this type of whisperer. It teaches that words of gossip go down deep into our inner body. It even implies that listening to these words can have a negative impact on our physical health. This sinister whisperer spreads things that seem enticing but transfer deep toxins into the soul of the listener. This person whispers to hide, to cover up, and to deceive. It's a whisper that hurts rather than heals. Think about gossip for a moment. Words that are full of toxins. Unfortunately, many people love to speak these words. And even more love to hear them. For some, listening to gossip is both entertaining and exciting. It is somewhat of an addiction that gives individuals something more exciting to focus on outside of their everyday lives. It serves as a toxic distraction. How terrible! But why do people love such a horrible thing? Because the flesh has a powerful appetite! Gossip tears someone else down while trying to lift yourself up. Not only does gossip puff you up with a false sense of pride but it destroys the person you are talking about, who is also created in the image of God. Gossip truly is a double-edge sword and is deadly for both the speaker and hearer, which is one of many reasons why it is so important to stop these words before they ever enter. Don't listen to gossip. It's bad for everyone involved. It hurts the person about whom you are gossiping. And, according to wise Solomon, it appears to be bad for your own physical health as well, deeply touching the inner parts of your physical body. A strong warning from a God who made us!

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 18:1

by David Chadwick "Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment." Proverbs 18:1 A man or woman who chooses isolation is selfish and does not operate in wisdom. The Bible essentially says isolation leads to foolishness. It is sometimes called today "isolation sickness." Think about the Covid season. We were all shoved inside. Churches and schools forced to close. Everyone was isolated. Socially distanced. Separated from community. Filled with fear at every turn. Now think about what happened as a result of that season. People got depressed. Kids' grades dropped. Loneliness crept in. People were tempted to watch what they shouldn't watch. Tempted to do what they shouldn't do. Those who were lulled by isolation became seekers of their own desires. After all, as one famous quote says, "Boredom breeds sin." This word "isolate" is synonymous with negative words like "detached" and "separated." It almost implies a reclusive or divisive demeanor. When we live in isolation, we are vulnerable to resisting sound judgment, as today's proverb says. Whereas God designed for us to live in community, isolation divides us from the body of Christ. And we were never created to live in isolation. On the contrary, we were created by God to live in community with one another. God said, "It is not good for man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18). Believers in Jesus are not to forsake the assembling together with other believers (Hebrews 10:25). In order to have the sound judgment Proverbs speaks of, we must get input from others, we must seek correction, we must pursue encouragement, and we must hunger for sound advice! God deeply desires for us to live near one another, to learn from one another, and to sharpen one another. In fact, the Bible is full of "one another" statements that explain all of the ways that the Christian faith is intended to be lived out alongside other believers. As the body of Christ, we were created to live together in community! May we all seek out "togetherness." May we seek the unity that only comes through Jesus. May we flee from isolation and, instead, pursue the desire of our Father to share our lives with other believers.