God’s Word for Today 7 Nov, 2024 13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. 14 From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him. 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice - Prov 12:13-15 ESV THE RIGHTEOUS ESCAPES FROM TROUBLE An evil person because of his deceitful lifestyle will be caught in the ‘web of lies’. Psalm 7:16 adds that the wicked man's "mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends." Lies are like boomerangs. They are always counter-productive. Ultimately, they are to give accounts on the day of judgment. Jesus said, "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Mat 12:36–37). ‘One can’t keep the smoke in his fist.’ The justice of God against wickedness is like a mill that may run slowly but surely. The righteous, however, escapes from trouble. Why? He is blameless but not sinless. He who lives in the light won’t stumble in darkness. As Jesus says, “If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.’[John 11:9] Because he tells the truth, he doesn’t have to worry about catching himself in his own lies. Words matter, and therefore they should be expressed thoughtfully and prayerfully. If the word of Christ dwells in a person richly, edifying, grateful words will exude from him. As Paul says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” [Col 3:16–17]. The words of the righteous produce ‘satisfaction’. He is satisfied by blessing others with kind, encouraging words. In return, it gains the respect and love of others. Jesus teaches that goodness and kindness will be repaid. He said, "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put in your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you" (Luke 6:37–38). The wise words are echoed back to the righteous person and therefore blesses and satisfies his heart. Sadly, the fool, not for his lack of intelligence, but has a hardened heart and mind to listen to reason and advice. He convinces himself that there is no God. As the psalmist declares, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'"[ Psa 14:1] He may have a PhD or a highly educated, but he is a fool if he denies the existence of God. The skillful or smart farmer was called by Jesus a ’fool’. He said to him, "Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?" (Luke 12:20). Surely the fool throws himself into trouble. But, the righteous escapes from it. Watch in YouTube: https://youtu.be/lPuuvKVODmg Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible Follow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio #gospellightfilipino #godswordfortoday #bookofProverbs