Words can talk us into things we shouldn’t do.
The words of fools will ruin them;
their own words will trap them. – Proverbs 18:7 NCV
Words have a way of flowing out easily and whether we like it or not, describe exactly what is on the heart. (Matthew 15:18)
We can also use enough words to ease into sinful lifestyles:
- We fool ourselves into justifying our actions
- We fool ourselves into believing we are actually doing good
- We fool ourselves into believing our own falsehoods
Upon closer examination, the justifications for error and sin do not hold up to the scrutiny of God’s word. In Proverbs 10:14 we see the need to gain knowledge through study so that we avoid this trap:
The wise lay up knowledge…
Good command of the Scriptures helps prevent us from being a victim of words of a fool. The tongue is described by James to be as powerful as a ship’s rudder or the bit in a horse’s mouth. (James 3) He also shows us that power works for both good and bad.
In the end, it is not possible to live in a way pleasing to God by trying to fool him with good intentions and flawed reasoning. That’s a trap that will only fool ourselves.
And the trap is difficult to escape.
June 20, 2014
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