Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.
When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;
    when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
    but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,
    but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.
A gossip betrays a confidence,
    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
For lack of guidance a nation falls,
    but victory is won through many advisers.
Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer,
    but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.
A kindhearted woman gains honor,
    but ruthless men gain only wealth.

• Proverbs 11: 9-16

“Proverbs 11:14 Multitude of counselors. ”As in 15:22; 20:18; 24:6, a good decision is made with multiple wise advisers.  The more crucial the decision, the more appropriate is corporate wisdom.  Note the example of David (2 Sam. 15:30-17:23).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

James 3 talks of taming the tongue.  Here the godless destroy their neighborhoods, but the educated righteous avoid such calamity.  The fourth proverb in this set speaks of a wicked tongue and the wise taming their tongue.

The next proverb speaks of rejoicing when a wicked person perishes, but I would think we should pray for that wicked person.  But then, being out from underneath oppression is a reason for Joy.

The third proverb in this set has elements of the two previous proverbs.  The wicked tongue is again mentioned and the upright or righteous improve the city.

While the fifth proverb in this set is loosely about taming our tongues, it brings up gossip and keeping secrets.  A trustworthy person can keep a secret, but telling the secret is not all there is to gossip.  Gossip has a life of its own and after being retold a few times, there is very little truth left in the telling.

Rev. MacArthur’s comment refers to this next proverb.  We need reliable advisors and multiple advisors is a good idea for major decisions.

A con man is waiting for that person who will trust without knowing the person very well.  Corrie ten Boom was duped by a quisling who pretended to be in great need, but the ten Boom family was turned over to the Gestapo instead.

There is a gender element in the last proverb in this set, but gender can be excluded here to be more inclusive.  Kindhearted people are lifted up with honor, but someone who is only after the money gets only the money.  You might be able to buy friends, but those are poor friends who will take your money at their earliest convenience.

And now let us sing.

The following song is Truth be Told.  It is sung by the composer, Matthew West.

“Lie number one, “You’re supposed to have it all together”
And when they ask how you’re doing
Just smile and tell them, “Never better”
Lie number two, “Everybody’s life is perfect except yours”
So keep your messes and your wounds
And your secrets safe with you behind closed doors

Truth be told
The truth is rarely told, no

I say, “I’m fine, yeah, I’m fine, oh, I’m fine, hey, I’m fine”
But I’m not, I’m broken
And when it’s out of control I say it’s under control
But it’s not and You know it
I don’t know why it’s so hard to admit it
When being honest is the only way to fix it
There’s no failure, no fall
There’s no sin You don’t already know
So let the truth be told

There’s a sign on the door
Says, “Come as you are” but I doubt it
‘Cause if we lived like that was true
Every Sunday mornin’ pew would be crowded
But didn’t you say church should look more like a hospital?
A safe place for the sick
The sinner and the scarred and the prodigals, like me

Well, truth be told
The truth is rarely told
Oh, am I the only one who says

“I’m fine, yeah, I’m fine, oh, I’m fine, hey, I’m fine”
But I’m not, I’m broken
And when it’s out of control I say it’s under control
But it’s not and You know it
I don’t know why it’s so hard to admit it
When being honest is the only way to fix it
There’s no failure, no fall
There’s no sin You don’t already know
So let the truth be told

Can I really stand here unashamed
Knowing that Your love for me won’t change?
Oh God, if that’s really true
Then let the truth be told

I say, “I’m fine, yeah, I’m fine, oh, I’m fine, hey, I’m fine”
But I’m not, I’m broken (I’m broken)
And when it’s out of control I say it’s under control
But it’s not and You know it (You know it)
I don’t know why it’s so hard to admit it
When being honest is the only way to fix it
There’s no failure, no fall
There’s no sin You don’t already know

Yeah, I know (I know)
There’s no failure, no fall
There’s no sin You don’t already know
So let the truth be told”

• Matthew West, I Trust Jesus

Closing Prayer

Dear Lord,
We need Your wisdom.  Our tongue gets us in a lot of trouble.  These days, we can say something in great sincerity just to have someone say they are offended.  Lord, help us to keep secrets.  We do not disappoint or dishonor a friend, and we avoid being the starter of gossip.  And Lord, guide us to trustworthy advisors for when we need to make important decisions.  We should avoid any get-rich-quick schemes.
In thy Name we pray.
Amen

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.