Honesty And Attentively Chosen Friends Go Hand In Hand

By paying careful attention to ones lips, you can learn a lot and spear yourself of great troubles. The proverbial wisdom of King Solomon shows practical ways to keep you out of troubles pointing out memorable sayings that exemplify important facts of experience.

He enhances some things you shouldn’t do with your lips, for instance: do not sing your own praises: "Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips." Proverbs 27:2

It is in fact repulsive to see people talking big, who don’t live up to their words. Why be among them?

"The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise." Proverbs 27:21 Your reputation will praise you, don’t worry, just as the best quality items do not need advertising, because the first owners will advertise enough, the same way, people who will see your verticality will respect you and that will lead to a good reputation.

Even if there are conflicts and you are misjudged, be hopeful because the truth will eventually come out in the open, in fact it always does! Here is what Solomon has to say about these situations:

"An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble." Proverbs 12:13

Therefore, if the truth is by your side, you have nothing to worry about!

Even if you are a great person and a wonderful personality, King Solomon also warns about the dangers that can come with some relationships, it is important who you make friends with!

Solomon explicitly shows whom you shouldn't make close friends with, I will mention here two categories:

A. "Big mouth" people: "He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don't keep company with him who opens wide his lips." Proverbs 20:19

You surely don’t want to have as friends the ones who gossip all day although, at first glance it might seem interesting to find all the "unconventional news". Just as they pour their gossip about anyone else, the very same way they will gossip about you! Don’t wait until you feel the bitterness of that discovery for yourself!

Unfortunately, the very talkative friends are talkative with everybody so, unless you want an information spread, it is better that you carefully choose whom you open your heart to.

On the other hand, many times silence is of gold indeed. It is not hard to look smart in a picture, all you have to do is to put on a dark colored suit and a pair of glasses. Yes, that’s in the picture, but in real life?

Solomon says: "Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning." Proverbs 17:28 Obviously, it is not so hard to play "smart", all it takes is to keep quiet.

B. Another serious warning Solomon has is for young people concerning the lips of women who want to seduce them:

"For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.

Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not.

Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel, lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich another man's house.

At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. You will say, "How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!" Proverbs 5

The consequence Solomon points out is agonizing: "He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly."

Solomon in his wisdom gave quite a piece of advice but it is up to us to take note; we saw the consequences and see it daily but we don’t have to go trough it ourselves.

Of course, in the eyes of God all people are important and so should be in our eyes. Even if certain things took over your life, regardless what it is (prostitution, drugs, etc.) all of that can be forgiven! Jesus promises that! Give all that burden to Him and let Him be your best friend forever!

Be honest, love all people but carefully choose your friends!