Many of us are, perhaps, familiar with the old adage or expression, "A picture is worth a thousand words." In other words, or to translate: painting a word "picture" or forming a clear and concise illustration, and whether driven by impulse or habit is typically what occurs in many instances. Whether it be fact or fiction and expressed either by verbal or written expression, we as humankind may tend towards such actions, and for the sake of clarity or minimizing the risk of misunderstanding or misinterpretation (to say the least).
In either case my beloved, and from a worldly perspective, the above scenario does NOT address the fabric of the STANDARD or QUALITY of the "expressed" or spoken word. In consideration of the source or origin of these words, the above is a forgone conclusion or readily predictable. Why? Well, the inerrant, unchanging and infallible Word of God, Jesus Christ, Himself describes, defines and conveys the truth concerning such words. Notice how he both imparts knowledge and admonishes: "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (Matthew 12:36-37).
Upon investigating and researching the meaning of the word "idle", I discovered that according to the Greek definition, it means a word or words that are "not working"; that is, an inoperative word, no positive function, useless, unprofitable, unfruitful, worthless or barren. WOW! What an indictment. The very words of the Pharisees betrayed them. The problematic or so-called principles of the self-righteous Pharisees would time and again betray them.
Their indignant and self-serving nature would be the catalyst of their brazen self-indulgence and hypocrisy! Jesus speaks the truth of His Word to these religious antagonists, who were motivated to discredit Him, and would have preferred nothing less than to permanently silence Him. But Christ knew what was lurking in the depths if their hearts, which was the root cause of their reprehensible conduct and the words of condemnation they chose! As a consequence of their vicious, venomous and deep-seed animosity towards Christ, their justification could not and would not be realized. Hence, they would die in their sins: "Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come." (John 8:21).
For those of us who are products a genuine conversion, and have escaped being conformed to this world, but rather have been transformed by the renewing of our minds, do not think for one single-solitary moment that we are immune to this deadly disease called "sin". This reality will persist until we all are called home to GLORY. Until then, we must fight the good fight of faith that the apostle Paul alludes to in his letter to Timothy: "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:11-12).
In the interim, let us collectively be on guard and vigilant to a fault, by being indwelled by the Holy Ghost and the Word of God! Then and only then, is victory guaranteed.
Otherwise, we become food for prey and candidates ripe for being taken hostage by the calamitous condition of the celebration of self. Below I have provided the details of what characterizes this dreaded condition, so that the signs or symptoms may be accurately identified:
SELF-RELIANCE: (Rely on your own abilities or resources)
SELF-SERVING: (Concern or care for your own interests or
well-being, to the exclusion of others)
SELF-INDULGENT: (Unrestrained pursuit of pleasure)
SELF-RIGHTEOUS: (Fully convinced that your actions or
behavior are above criticism or fault, thus
elevating you to a status of moral superiority)
Now, and so that there is no confusion or lack of clarity, the prideful practice of any of the above, or any combination thereof is a pronouncement of GUILT. It is that simple, my beloved. What this does is puts sin under a microscope or magnifying glass (so to speak). And remember, the above transgressions essentially characterize what Jesus exposed in the deceitful hearts of the prideful Pharisees, which birthed the idle words they spoke. The Old Testament (OT) prophet Isaiah weighs in as follows: "But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken." (Isaiah 28:13).
Thus, we must remain resolute, sensitive and disciplined (as disciples of Jesus) in utilizing Godly Wisdom to know both when and what words TO speak, or to know when and what words NOT to be spoken. Then, we will be governed by the right conduct, which stems from a right standing with God and based on the imputed righteousness of Christ, and Christ alone: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16-17).
In conclusion, the book of Proverbs, or "The Wisdom Chronicles", is a virtual guiding light that houses principles, instructions, explanations, teachings and illustrations to establish and enhance "skillful living" or "wise behavior". More specifically, these would include knowledge, understanding and discretion. The word, "Proverbs" was derived from a Hebrew word that means "to rule or govern". Hence, the book offers sound advice on how to govern our lives.
To encourage all to invest in the study of this Holy Book on a regular basis, and to experience the immeasurable benefits of this book personally, I will limit my closing discussion to the meaning of the word knowledge. Based on my experiences, I am convinced that the usage of this word far exceeds the extent to which its true meaning has gotten the credit it so richly and reverently deserves. Above, I made use of the words "Godly Wisdom". Since Creator God is, and ALWAYS has been the subject matter of ALL sermon messages, it stands to reason that true knowledge is the application of Godly Wisdom or "experiential knowledge": "To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion." (Proverbs 1:4).
"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." (Isaiah 57:15).