Two verses today work well to teach us a lot. First, we are told that a fool loves their own opinion but doesn’t care for wisdom. Then we are told that in life, there are those we thought were friends, but they were just playing a friend. It’s easy for us to hear the later verse and feel vindicated at the folks we thought were friends but were just playing a friend. The greater part of wisdom is not just to feel good about vindication for being wronged but to ask ourselves, when did we play the friend and were not the friend that we should have been? May we learn and may we grow. And may we be the friends that we should be.

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Good morning! It’s great to be back in our normal recording studio here at St. Matthews United Methodist Church. Today, we’re diving into Proverbs 18, exploring the wisdom found in its verses.

Verse 2 caught my attention: “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in expressing personal opinion.” This statement resonates with a profound truth. In our current culture, it often seems that self-expression, not self-control, is hailed as a virtue. Reflecting on this, I recall a poignant tweet I saw a few years back: “Looking at the way we live today, one would think that self-expression, not self-control, was a fruit of the spirit.” It’s a thought-provoking perspective.

Moving on, the metaphor in verse 4 compares the words of a whisper to a delicious morsel that reaches the inner parts of the body. We all enjoy a good gossip, but this verse reminds us of the impact our words can have on others.

Verse 14 highlights the resilience of the human spirit in enduring sickness but emphasizes the challenge of bearing a broken spirit. It speaks to the importance of emotional well-being and the strength needed to overcome internal struggles.

However, the real gem is found in verse 24: “Some friends play at friendship, but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin.” This verse prompts reflection on the authenticity of our relationships. We’ve all encountered those who seemed like friends when times were good but vanished when we needed them. Yet, instead of dwelling on our grievances, we should consider when we might have played the friend. It’s an opportunity for self-awareness and growth.

Today, let’s express gratitude for the true friends in our lives and release any resentment towards those who played at friendship. Additionally, let’s challenge ourselves to be genuine friends who stick closer than kin in every circumstance.

I hope you find these reflections meaningful. Stay warm and have a great day!