Proverbs to Live By Part 2

Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that

provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

Recently, Brad, Daneille, and I produced a series of Multiply episodes on

marriage that resulted in many listeners giving us positive feedback. We love

to hear from you, so this was quite gratifying!

Proverbs 15:23 says,

A person finds joy in giving an apt reply —

  and how good is a timely word!

It seems the words we shared in the series on marriage were timely. So many

men and women associated with village churches struggle with their marriages.

Marriage is not easy. Anyone who says it is has either never been married or is

lying. But wisdom goes a long way toward making marriage easier and more

rewarding. The Book of Proverbs collected by King Solomon is designed to

transform simple people into wise people. So let me share some proverbs that,

when heeded, will produce wisdom for marriage.

A lying tongue hates those it hurts,

    and a flattering mouth works ruin. (Proverbs 26:28).

Truthfulness is the foundation of a sound marriage. If you want your marriage

to be strong and lasting, give up lying and speak the truth in love. So,

Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

(Proverbs 4:24).

When you speak with your husband or wife, reject gossip, deceit, and slander.

By doing so you will build trust and set yourselves up to make wise decisions

together.

Proverbs 5:2-4 says, "For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,

    and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end, she is bitter as gall,

    sharp as a double-edged sword."

Every man or woman who is tempted to commit adultery should take the long

view. In the short term, adultery can appear to be full of pleasure, but in the

end, it brings great suffering and heartache.

From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of

their hands brings them reward. (Proverbs 12:14).

Words that build people up, that is, the truth spoken in love, bring good to

those who speak them just as careful, diligent work brings a reward to the

workers. Healthy marriages are filled with both, edifying speech and

productive work.

Dear church planter, this is a very small sample of the proverbs that have

fruitful application to marriage. My brother, my sister, please strengthen you

church by strengthening the marriages of church members. Strengthen

marriages by infusing them with the wisdom of these and many other proverbs

from Solomon’s collection. By so doing, the simple will be transformed into

the wise.

This has been “Multiply,” and I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this

encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #Proverbs #StrongMarriages