Today's Proverb in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan has a warning that every believer should heed! Proverbs 18:13:
13 He who answers a matter before he hears the facts—it is folly and shame to him.
Let's look at this verse from both the Complete Jewish Bible and The Message Bible:
13 To answer someone before hearing him out is both stupid and embarrassing. CJB
13 Answering before listening is both stupid and rude. THE MESSAGE
We can see that this verse is speaking of those who aren't really listening to the person talking, but waiting until they themselves can speak! I have been in that situation before! I think that it would be safe to say that most of us have been! I also think, though, that this verse could be used to exhort someone who makes bold, brash assumptions concerning someone whom they ACTUALLY know nothing about! I have heard people in general, and ministers in particular, spoken of in this manner. So many people believe that because SOMEONE believes something to be true about a certain person, then it MUST be true! The problem with this is that whatever we do or say in this life is seed sown that WILL produce a crop, or harvest, here, in this life! Look at Galatians 6:7:
7 Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap. AMP
"That, and that ONLY"! You and I can believe for good things all that we want to, but if the seeds we are planting into our lives are not good seeds, then what we will have to be satisfied with is a not so good harvest! So, besides being STUPID, RUDE, EMBARRASSING and SHAMEFUL, speaking out against other people, especially God's anointed ministers, can and will prove to be a very costly endeavor when we begin to reap the results (1 Chronicles 16:22 & Psalm 105:15). If YOU have participated in this behavior, NOW is the time to repent (change your thinking to agree with God) and receive your forgiveness, and the cleansing from ALL that is not righteous! Refuse the traps and schemes of the enemy, who is ONLY here to steal, kill and destroy in your life (John 10:10 AMP). Live free by being obedient to the Word of God and the Spirit of God! AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Not Today!":
Shalom in Him!
