Proverbs 18:1-8
Q.1. What is the motivation behind the communication of the wicked? – (Prov.18:1-3)
When a person seeks his own desire and is intent – … only in revealing his own mind (Prov.18:2), then his speech will heap scorn on others, and damage their reputation without showing concern for the damage done. We should avoid the company of such people.
Q.2. Why should we give special attention to the real meaning behind a person’s words and communication? – (Prov.18:4)
Solomon observed that we need to look under the surface to discover the real meaning behind what people are saying. People may be speaking constantly or they may be saying very little. We should care about people sufficiently enough to encourage them to share their real thoughts and feelings.
Q.3. What warning did the writer give with regards to passing on and hearing gossip? – (Prov.18:5-8)
Our speech can bring strife and even ruin. Just as James warned us – … the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell (Jms.3:6). This is particularly true of gossip – The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body (Prov.18:8). The lesson is clear: We are to avoid engaging in gossip ourselves, and to avoid others who gossip. Instead of participating in gossip, we should – Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person (Col.4:6).