Conversations...

Oy!  The mouth again...  This is serious.
© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

This is a humbling chapter...  These are the verses that stood out to me, lots of wisdom here.

Proverbs 18

1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends

and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
I've seen this many times.  There are people who have an agenda and will force their personal beliefs on others- even to the point of causing quarrels or creating a judging spirit in the person who's listening.  Probably a good time to wipe the dust off our feet and move on.

2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding

but delight in airing their own opinions.
Guilty!  Boy do I have some opinions.  And, sometimes I'm more interested in sharing my point of view than seeking to understand what others are saying.  Once I get off my soap box and listen, I usually find the other person is right too.

4 The words of the mouth are deep waters,

but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
I've gotten myself into some deep water at times, that's for sure.  When someone speaks wisdom it's like a rushing stream, good for the soul.

13 To answer before listening—

that is folly and shame.
I would like to apologize to any of my blogger friends where I may have not completely read a post before commenting (blush).  My mind works very quickly and in many directions.  This is an easy trap for me to fall into.  I hear part of the conversation and think I understand.  Listening is sometimes good medicine for others and also helps me come up with the right response.

22 He who finds a wife finds what is good

and receives favor from the Lord.
See ladies?  We are of value to the Lord.  My thanks to all those guys who recognize on their blogs that God uses women as leaders, some even support women as preachers.  Many have taken (1 Cor 14:34) which refers to disruptive behavior in Church, to mean we shouldn't speak at all.  Paul has some words about women teaching men in (1 Tim. 2:11-15).  I'm not called to be a preacher so it's never really bothered me.  But there are times when a woman needs to speak and shouldn't be chastised for it.  Especially in ministry.  I've heard some say if women lead, the men won't.  We are all called to Christ and service, there shouldn't be extremes in this. Hmmm... wonder where the problem really lies. It's interesting to realize that it was women who told the disciples about Jesus' resurrection (Luke 24:9-10).  Would anyone have dared to tell Mother Teresa to be quiet?  Did I mention I see all sides at once?  I will do as He leads.  I am His servant.

10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;

the righteous run to it and are safe.

24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

These 2 verses describe Jesus to me.  He is a friend who sticks closer to us than a brother, our fortified tower.  He lifts our spirits above the troubles of our world.
NIV

Here's how Jesus is described by Paul- our perfect example in relationships.

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant,being made in human likeness.  8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

These verses are like Proverbs 18:10,24,  Jesus' name is above all names.  There is strength and power in His name.

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:3-11 NIV