Daily Proverb - Proverbs, Chapter 18

"A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions"

I thank God for sharing His wisdom and for working in me to change me!  As I read this verse, I am reminded of the kind of person I was several years ago, before I knew Jesus as my Savior.  To be perfectly honest, this is an area that I must always be mindful of.  For years, I loved to listen to talk radio and talk television shows.  I would hear the opinions of others and was convinced that the airing of opinions was good and healthy.  I have been a Christian for 14 years and God has taught me a good lesson on my own opinions.  The lesson simply is this; Me, I am not so smart or wise that my own opinions MUST be expressed!  I heard some words of wisdom many years ago, and today I believe they are more true than ever, here they are  "opinions are like arm pits, everyone has a few and they aren't always very fragrant."  I know, I know, you always think you're right.  The truth is, you aren't always right and that is why you need to keep your opinions to yourself.  Knowledge is a great thing to share, just don't confuse knowledge with opinions!

"A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating"

I once heard of the story of a young girl, who was very disrespectful to her parents and always using her mouth to express it.  One day her Dad began to lose his patience with her and he warned her," keep mouthing off and I am going to let you have it!"  She gave him a nasty look and few nasty words and he reached over and slapped her cheek, she looked at him with brazen eyes and gave him the nasty look again and he completed the raising of his hand with a back-hander.  As years when by, it turned out to be a good lesson.  She understood that there was a line that could be crossed and did not wish to cross it again.  I am not advocating physical abuse by telling this story, I just want to use this as an illustration. You see, if you are going to be a fool with your mouth, you just never know how people are going to react!  We have all heard of "road-rage" this is where people express themselves to the point where others react in a violent way.  People have suffered horrible pain as a result of road-rage!  Making others angry, while they have a dangerous weapon is foolish! But making others angry rather you see a weapon or not, just simply is not a good idea, they will react and you won't like it! DON'T BE A FOOL!

"He who answers before listening-that is his folly and his shame"

Have you ever become angry without having all the facts?  Many people blow-up and lash out and the truth is, if they knew the entire story, they would understand and avoid this display of foolish anger!  Get the facts, let others speak, and then you will answer with understanding!