29/09/2021 Wednesday
Fool or Wise
Can you tell the difference?
How do pigs and sheep differ?
• They differ in skin, build, noise, likes, food, digestion, etc.
• We can tell the difference between these animals, but how well can we tell the difference
between a Fool and a Wise Person.
• This evening we are going to examine their Talk.
Fools use their mouths sinfully.
• (Proverbs 10:14) “Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near
destruction.”
• The fool’s mouth is leading him to ruin.
• (Proverbs 10:18) “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a
fool.”
• The fool speaks evil reports and unfavourable words of others.
• (Proverbs 12:23) “A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth
foolishness.”
• The foolishness of the arrogant fool comes from his heart.
Fools use their mouths sinfully.
• (Proverbs 14:3) “In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall
preserve them.”
• The fool proudly uses his mouth to beat and chasten others.
• (Proverbs 14:7) “Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the
lips of knowledge.”
• Fools have no discernment or perception to share with others.
• (Proverbs 15:2) “The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools
poureth out foolishness.”
• The mouth of the fool has nothing to share but foolishness.
Fools use their mouths sinfully.
• (Proverbs 15:7) “The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth
not so.“
• The fool cannot share knowledge because his heart lacks it.
• (Proverbs 15:14) “The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the
mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.”
• The fool grazes on foolishness not knowledge or perception.
• (Proverbs 17:7) “Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.”
• The fool has nothing excellent to share with anyone.
Fools use their mouths sinfully.
• (Proverbs 18:6) “A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.”
• Fools stir up quarrels and encourage fighting.
• (Proverbs 18:7) “A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.”
• The words of fools ruin them and set traps for their own souls.
• (Proverbs 29:11) “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”
• Fools let it all out. The give everyone a piece of their mind.
Wise People guard their mouths
• (Proverbs 10:19) “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his
lips is wise.”
• Keeping the mouth shut during tense times is wise.
• (Proverbs 12:18) “There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the
wise is health.”
• Wise people speak to heal not to stab and cut.
• (Proverbs 12:23) “A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth
foolishness.”
• (Proverbs 14:3) “In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall
preserve them.”
Wise People guard their mouths
• (Proverbs 15:2) “The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools
poureth out foolishness.”
• (Proverbs 15:7) “The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth
not so.”
• (Proverbs 16:23) “The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.”
• He makes his mouth circumspect and more edifying.
• (Proverbs 29:11) “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”
Fools use their mouths sinfully.
• What have we learned about the fool’s mouth?
• His mouth is near destruction and his lips are a snare.
• He utters slander.
• His heart proclaims his foolishness.
• He uses his mouth like a rod to beat on people.
• His lips lack knowledge.
• He pours out foolishness not knowledge.
• His mouth feeds on foolishness.
• He never says excellent things.
• He stirs up arguments.
• He says all his mind.
Wise People guard their mouths
• What have we learned about the mouth of a wise person?
• He restrains or hold back his lips.
• He speaks healing words.
• He conceals knowledge that should not be said.
• His lips preserve or protect others.
• He uses knowledge rightly.
• His lips share knowledge with others.
• He teaches his mouth what is right and wrong to say.
• He keeps some things in until it is proper to say them.
Questions to Ponder
• Do you have a reputation of using your mouth foolishly or wisely?
• Would God say that you usually use your mouth as a fool or as a wise person?
• Which foolish uses of the mouth do you need to remove from your life?
• Which wise uses of the mouth do you need to develop to a better extent?
How can you improve your talk?
• Admit it when you speak like a fool.
• Confess to God that your words were sinful.
• Ask forgiveness when you speak like a fool.
• Ask God to change your heart and to help you gain victory.
Ask God to change your heart and to help you gain victory.
• Stay away from people who talk like fools.
• Memorise Bible verses on the mouth, lips and tongue.
• Ask a friend to hold you accountable for your tongue.
God’s Closing Advice
• (Proverbs 13:20) “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools
shall be destroyed.”
• (Proverbs 19:20) “Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy
latter end.“
• (Psalms 19:14) “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable
in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”