God has already told us to “…Consider the birds of the air.” Well, consider this additional truth about a sparrow:
“Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an underserved curse does not come to rest.” Proverbs 25: 2
When one is innocent of the charge, a curse cannot take effect.
If someone has cursed your life our God is able to turn that curse into a blessing. Way back in the Old Testament when Baalam (a wicked prophet) was hired to pronounce a curse, yet he did not proceed. Why? God turned it around. Here’s the scripture:
“However, the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam but turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you.” Deuteronomy 23: 5
Consider the actions of the fluttering sparrow in the opening verse.
The curse does not come to rest!
As we grow in the Lord we need not stoop to a fool’s level. “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.” Proverbs 26: 4
Not answering a fool is wise. Just walk away.
In the next couple of verses, we are introduced to a sluggard. So, what’s a sluggard? A habitually lazy person!
“As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.” Proverbs 26: 14
Look at the metaphor here: A door is attached to its hinges and the sluggard is attached to his bed.
Here’s another sluggard picture: “The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.” Proverbs 26: 15
Once again, Solomon is criticizing unproductive behavior that shows that the sluggard won’t even put food in his own mouth.
As we read on in the chapter, the type of speech we engage in is being addressed. He says this, “Without wood a fire goes out, without gossip a quarrel dies down.” Proverbs 26: 20
What are we fueling or igniting with our words?
“As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.” Proverbs 26: 21
As fire starters, be careful what you kindle. We carry the fire and glory of God.
Our speech is very important.
The Holy Spirit is challenging us in this season to listen more and to talk less.
Whatever is in a person’s heart will come out through their speech, eventually.
That’s why listening produces discernment.
“A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart, he harbors deceit.” Proverbs 26: 24
“Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.” Proverbs 26: 25
“His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.” Proverbs 26: 26
The summary of these three truths is this:
“For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore, consider carefully how you listen.” Luke 8: 17-18
How we listen is by the discernment of the Holy Spirit. He is the revealer of all things.
As we close, the final verse reminds us that, “A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.” Proverbs 26: 28
We can always use wisdom and pray for any snares or traps that are being set. The Holy Spirit’s discernment will identify them.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on My Beloved’s Voice
KINGDOM ASSURANCE
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