Guards his mouth: “As the guard keepeth the gates in a siege. This is true both in a moment of crisis and over a lifetime. He who guards his mouth preserves his life: Wise and good words can preserve life. He who guards his mouth preserves his life,īut he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.Ī. Feeds on violence: “Shall have that violence and injury returned upon themselves, which they have offered to others in word or deed.” (Poole) Proverbs 13:3 The soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence: Those who are unfaithful to God and His wisdom may find themselves supported by or through violence. A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth: Wise and good speech brings blessings of many different kinds, including the blessing of prosperity.ī. Instruction…rebuke: “The change to a stronger word in the second line-(‘rebuke’)-shows that he does not respond to any level of discipline.” (Ross) Proverbs 13:2Ī man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth,īut the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.Ī. Does not listen: “Or, Heareth and jeereth – as Lot’s sons-in-law, as Eli’s sons, and afterwards Samuel’s.” (Trapp) A scoffer does not listen to rebuke: The scoffer is fool enough to reject all guidance and therefore never learns. Children are wise to listen to instruction from their parents.ī. A wise son heeds his father’s instruction: The fact that Solomon delivered this proverb to his own son does not make it any less true. When we maintain a single-mindedness of purpose and remember the Great Commission Jesus gave to us (Matthew 28:19, 20 Mark 16:15), we can better withstand the enemy’s attacks when they come.Proverbs 13 – The Value of Correction Proverbs 13:1Ī wise son heeds his father’s instruction,Ī. Self-centeredness is a root of strife, but staying out of the center and keeping God there instead changes our entire focus. He’s a defeated foe and he knows it, and he’s completely paralyzed by the power of God’s love.Įxamples of walking in love include forgiving others for hurtful things they may say or do, refusing to hold grudges, and putting others first. Satan doesn’t want us, or anyone else, to benefit from hearing the Gospel of Grace. “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3, NKJV). In this spiritual fight against the devil, this is our counterattack. We combat strife by deliberately walking in unity and love. When we're aware that he'll try to cause trouble when things are going good, we're less likely to be blindsided when conflict arises. It seems to crop up whenever believers are making significant achievements together and seriously threatening the enemy’s strongholds. It reared its ugly head when Abraham and Lot were travelling together and experiencing success (Genesis 13:1-9), and when Paul and Barnabas were working together and successfully building the early Christian church (Acts 15:1, 2).
“Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins” (Proverbs 10:12, NKJV). Its method is to divide and conquer through deliberate and purposeful attacks against God’s all-encompassing love. Its ripple effects can be felt outward throughout the entire organization, and it can turn something healthy, thriving, and productive into something dysfunctional.
It can sneak in unnoticed and cause squabbling, arguments, contention, and resentment. This evil spirit aims to destroy from within. The enemy is always against believers working to bring clarity and understanding. “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (James 3:16). Strife is one of Satan’s favorite weapons that he uses to spread anger and confusion, and we’re vulnerable to it when our spirits don’t line up with God’s Spirit. Whatever its definition, it spreads like wildfire when individuals continue to talk and gossip when they should be silent. Strife can be defined as bickering, discord, antagonism, or quarreling.
Strife is a tool of the devil, and we must recognize when it is in operation so that we can stop it in its tracks. This force is called strife and it’s designed to separate people, cause bitter divisions, and destroy everything we attempt to build. It happens in families, churches, business organizations, and any place where groups of people come together. Any time we accomplish something or begin making positive progress, there’s always an opposing force trying to stop us from moving forward.
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