Text: Prov 13:1-3 ESV 1 A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. 2 From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence. 3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. - Prov 13:1-3 ESV GUARDING OUR WORDS, GUARDING OUR LIVES Once again, the father offers his perspective and advice and his son should pay attention seriously. Why? He speaks from his experience. Learning from our own mistakes is part of life; choosing to learn from the mistakes of others is especially wise. Sadly, a son who is a scoffer, sneers or laughs at knowledge instead of learning from it. [Prov 1:22] He exhibits a superior attitude that he knows more than the people who try to correct them. If he keeps thinking he is beyond reproach, he will face a miserable end. Why? For pride precedes destruction.[Prov 16:18] The righteous person speaks productive words to others. And, it leads to good things in return. This is the general principle in life. If a person speaks kind words, others will speak kindly to him in return. Blessing others will reciprocate blessing in return. His ‘good’ words will bring positive words back to him. The word, "good," in this context, means what is pleasant to taste and smell. This echoes the concept that persons reap what they sow: those who "sow” goodness and godliness can expect to harvest more of the same (Gal 6:7). Similarly, he, who strongly desires to hurt others will also receive the same treatment. The term "violence" indicates what treacherous people crave and get in return. In a fruit-tree terminology, it is getting what is crude and unripe. They crave to do violence against their neighbors. Thus, they find violence backfiring to themselves sooner or later in life. One more striking difference between the righteous and scoffer is their restrain or no restrain in using their tongues respectively. The fool speaks without thinking, without control, and makes rash promises that he has no plan to keep. He may insult, lie, tell secrets, and offer unsound advice. He may gossip or criticize others unjustly. ‘He will eat his words’ later, that is, his careless and harsh language will rebound to harm him. ------------------------- Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram