Don’t Brag About Tomorrow

Napoleon boasted he could remember the names of every person he ever met. His technique was simple. If he didn’t hear the name clearly, he said, “So sorry I didn’t get the name clearly.” If it ... More

Boasting

It is a big mistake to boast about what you will do tomorrow because there is really no way of knowing for sure what will happen (v. 1). This is especially true when it comes to putting off being saved. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Not only should a person refrain from boasting about what he will do but he should refrain from boastingabout what he has done (v. 2). Self-praise is out of place for the man of wisdom. It is pride and that is something that God hates. Because a fool refuses to listen to good advice his burdens will become heavier than stone (v. 3). A wise person will not react to him, even when his words and actions are irritating.

An angry person is dangerous, but a jealous person is even worse (v. 4). If a person truly loves his friend, he will not fear to tell him a fault or correct him (v. 5). An enemy may seem to be a friend by saying things he knows you would like to hear. But concerned rebuke shows more of a genuine expression of friendship. Rebuke patiently given will cement a relationship rather than destroy it.   

 

You can trust a friend who corrects you, but kisses from an enemy are nothing but lies (v. 6). If you have had enough to eat, honey doesn’t taste good, but if you are famished, you will eat anything (v. 7). When you are far from home, you feel like a bird without a nest (v. 8). Loving counsel on the part of a friend is as refreshing and stimulating to the soul as oil and perfume are to the body (v. 9).

 

Application

Some people have such a desire to be everybody’s friend that they are not willing to rebuke a friend with loving concern when he needs it. Can I think of anyone who I should go to and put into practice this scriptural admonition?

Proverbs 27:1-9 (English Standard Version)


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