Proverbs 18
I would offer that the word love is not a verb, it is a noun. It is not a thing you do. It is the light that you are made of and what you were created to be.
Abuse of Power
1 Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense.
2 Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
3 Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt.
4 Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
5 It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.
6 Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.
7 The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips.
8 Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
9 A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to Him and are safe.
11 The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.
12 Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.
13 Spouting off before listening to the facts both shameful and foolish.
14 The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?
15 Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.
16 Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!
17 The first to speak in court sounds right-until the cross-examination begins.
18 Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents.
19 An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.
20 Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.
21 The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
22 The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.
23 The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults.
24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. (NLT)
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insights
Proverbs 18:4
Abuse of power manifests in many ways. An individual with true strength, can offer correction and direction without being a bully. Bullying in any form is abuse of power.
Is there someone in your life who represents wisdom to you? Take note of them and study what it is about them that makes you feel that way. For me it is a woman I befriended at church. Actually, I first met her at a bible study before I began attending my current church, and over the years we became very close. She has since gone to be with God.
She did not come off as an intellectual, rather she was just a friendly old gal that was fun to be with, and had many stories to tell. At 80-something, she was still quite self sufficient and independent. I was quite naturally drawn to her when I needed advice on any number of subjects.
When I attended a re-focus retreat some time back, I came to realize what quality she had that made her represent wisdom to me. She was able to be brutally (I mean tear you apart brutally) honest, right in your face, yet with the gentleness of a summer breeze. No matter how harshly she corrected you, it always came from a place of love and respect. I hope I can be like her someday. Allaine was powerfully influential. There was never a hint of abuse of power.
Proverbs 18:17
The media in this country is not what it used to be. The purpose of the freedoms guaranteed to the press by the framers of the Constitution had a purpose. That purpose, along with the separation of powers to executive, legislative, and legal branches was to prevent abuse of power by the government. The function of a free press is to keep all three branches accountable. This is done by presenting the facts and allowing the people to form their own opinions.
Unfortunately, the press, by and large, no longer accomplishes their intended purpose. Instead, they promote opinions as if they were facts, and intentionally shape public opinion to support the agenda of whoever is funding them. This is by definition abuse of power. The job of the press is to tell us what happened and what was said, not what is a lie and what is the truth.
On January 6, 2021, a peaceful and legal protest in Washington was labeled by the press as violent insurrection. While it is right leaning to counter the overwhelming main stream far left leaning coverage, I believe there is much truth exposed in a documentary by Greg Kelly, Day of Outrage. It can be streamed on the Newsmax channel. I recommend you watch it and make up your own mind. If you do not hear both sides of the story before forming an opinion, you will surely fall victim to abuse of power.
Proverbs 18:23
Homeless children is a sign of a deteriorating social structure. We, as a society, need to turn this one around. It rings of more truth than we should be capable of accepting.
lynnibug
