What is in Your Heart Comes Out in Your Talk

Proverbs 24:1–10
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The glamour of the world often arouses envy in the minds of young and old alike. A Christian should not want what the world has to offer or even want to be with worldly people (v. 1). The best thing the world has to offer is only temporary no matter how attractive it may seem. If we hang around sinners, we will find that they do things that are evil. What is in their hearts comes out in their talk (v. 2). 

Storing the mind and heart with wisdom, knowledge and understanding is like building a mansion on a solid foundation and beautifying and enriching it with costly furnishings (vv. 3-5). This can never be done by watching all the things that T.V. has to offer today. How tragic it is when parents just turn it on and let it go as a babysitter for their children. Also, the man who listens carefully to wise counselors will increase in strength (v. 6).

A wise person is not rash, and he avails himself to the counsel and experience of others. He is not an egoist and is willing to listen to what those who are godly have to say (v. 7). A person who continually thinks up evil schemes becomes known as a schemer (vv. 8-9). Such scheming is foolish because it is sinful and leads to mockery, which people detest. Solomon reminds his readers that the time of crisis is where the character of man is tested (v. 10). Giving in to the pressure of trouble shows that a person’s strength is limited.

Application

What do I do when a crisis comes? Do I fall apart, or do I claim Romans 8:28 where it says, “All things work together for good to them who are called according to His purpose"?