Proverbs 13:2
A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth:
But the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
This verse invites us to discover a much wider concept than is revealed in the mere straight text. Jesus touched on it when He said, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me and to finish His work. Jesus associated ‘eating’ with the work at hand for him.
Could it be then that the work that is set for us to do in life is the result of the words that come out of our mouth? Could it be that good and godly words lead us to good and godly works, and that words that transgress God’s laws lead us to violence? I would certainly think so. James mentioned it in his epistle. He said, Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
It is not about being right; it is about being wise. A self-righteous proud mouth will create conflict no matter how right it is; soft words turn away wrath.
Let us now review these parameters from the wise king and apostle and inspect our lives. Let us with sincerity and honesty examine our relationship with others. Are we ‘eating’ good or violence from the words of our mouth?
A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth:
But the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
This verse invites us to discover a much wider concept than is revealed in the mere straight text. Jesus touched on it when He said, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me and to finish His work. Jesus associated ‘eating’ with the work at hand for him.
Could it be then that the work that is set for us to do in life is the result of the words that come out of our mouth? Could it be that good and godly words lead us to good and godly works, and that words that transgress God’s laws lead us to violence? I would certainly think so. James mentioned it in his epistle. He said, Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
It is not about being right; it is about being wise. A self-righteous proud mouth will create conflict no matter how right it is; soft words turn away wrath.
Let us now review these parameters from the wise king and apostle and inspect our lives. Let us with sincerity and honesty examine our relationship with others. Are we ‘eating’ good or violence from the words of our mouth?
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