A Look at Proverbs 10.14

Prov 10.14
¹⁴ Wise men store up knowledge,
But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.

The Parts

store up – treasure, hold close . . . not to hoard but for a definite purpose. This is not just inventory but a storehouse of blessing. Wise people speak with deliberation, weighing their words!

knowledge – this is an apprehension of reality, experience, how things work. Unfortunately, we thing “knowledge” is just information! As a result we have vast numbers in our culture educated beyond their intelligence!

ruin – “to be broken,” thus ruin, can include terror and dismay. Fools don’t weigh their words, they just dump their mouths!

at hand – being most near, even intimate proximity like a kinsman or neighbor, a relationship

References to consider:

Prov 18.6
⁶ A fool’s lips bring strife,
And his mouth calls for blows.
⁷ A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.

Prov 9.9
⁹ Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser,
Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.

Prov 13.3
³ The one who guards his mouth preserves his life;
The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Eph 4.29
²⁹ Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Ezek 24.16-17
¹⁶ “Son of man, behold, I am about to take from you the desire of your eyes with a blow; but you shall not mourn and you shall not weep, and your tears shall not come. ¹⁷ “Groan silently; make no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban and put your shoes on your feet, and do not cover your mustache and do not eat the bread of men.”

When do I “speak,” or “share,” or “tell,” or “express”? Notice carefully God’s words to Ezekiel on an occasion of major grief and sorrow. “Groan silently” . . . 

God acknowledged Ezekiel’s thoughts, feelings, passion are real. He did not tell Ezekiel to not think or feel. He told him to acknowledge this “inwardly” (which is always to/before the Lord).

God directed him to control the expression of his emotions, words, thoughts according to the constraints of a larger purpose.

Let’s summarize. Our thoughts, ideas, emotions, feelings are to be . . . 

• Acknowledged to ourselves and God according to their full weight (positive or negative).
• Subordinated in public expression to allowing God to use us for His purposes. Expression is legitimate only when it does not conflict with God’s purposes. Always evaluate whether my expression will serve God, thus minister to another person. [For further reading along this line, see the excellent book by Larry Crabb, “The Marriage Builder” (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1982), pp 68-70.]

Sharpening for my life today:

Prov 27.17

Let me share an unfortunate actual story. A fine Christian woman’s husband died unexpectedly. It was a devastating shock and as a result she felt deep and sudden loss and pain. A couple representatives (I won’t say “Deacons” so you won’t brand some poor denomination) from her church paid her a visit at this time of grief. Their “word” for her was Rom 8.28,

²⁸ And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Therefore, she was not to grieve, trust God, and move on with life.

While these representatives “word” was absolute truth from God’s Word, and more than likely well intentioned, they were not “wise words.” The goal of “words” is always to minister, not provide quick solutions, which are often directed to cut off feelings and interaction. God is not concerned about our giving answers! He is deeply concerned about our ministry to strengthen, support, care, minister!

Even fools can have good information and a great ability to express themselves! Unfortunately, they often don’t store wisdom, they just dump their mouth! Our goal is to minister!