Tuesday, August 23, 2022
A Person Without Self-Control
16-17 When you’re given a box of candy, don’t gulp it all down;
overeat chocolate, and you’ll make yourself sick;
And when you find a friend, don’t outwear your welcome;
show up at all hours, and he’ll soon get fed up.
18 Anyone who tells lies against the neighbors
in court or on the street is a loose cannon.
19 Trusting a double-crosser when you’re in trouble
is like biting down on an abscessed tooth.
20 Singing light songs to the heavyhearted
is like pouring salt into their wounds.
-Proverbs 25:16-20 The Message
If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,
lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
lest he has his fill of you and hates you.
18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
is like a war club, sword, or sharp arrow.
19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble
is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart
is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
and like vinegar on soda.
-Proverbs 25:16-20 ESV
Verse 16 study: There is a thing as too much, even for something good.
Verses 16-17 study: Here is the message; know when to stop, honey is good for you, but too much can make you sick, neighborly friendship is good, but excessive familiarity can abuse another’s privacy. Therefore, relationships need to be defined wisely.
Verse 18 study: False witness (lying) is vicious. A stab wound is permanent; the effects of a stab wound are like bearing false witness. It is permanent to those who are being lied to. When tempted to pass on gossip, think of yourself stabbing the victim of your remarks with a sword. This image can shock you into silence.
False testimony belongs to the same group as weapons of war because they all have the same effects and instruments used to assault others and their well-being.
Verse 19 study: The pain is both acute and chronic.
Verse 20 study: The process of vinegar to soda renders the latter useless. Another thought is like pouring vinegar on a wound. Taking someone’s coat and pouring vinegar on wounds causes pain. Trifle does as well in the presence of sorrow.
There is a time for everything. The protest is against that which is unsuitable and has terrible taste.
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