Proverbs 18:1-24
Living for self without regard for others is the mark of selfishness and often of pride. Romans 15:1-3, quoting the example of the Lord Jesus, exhorts us not to seek what pleases us ourselves (cf. v. 1) but what pleases our neighbour, "for his good to edification". Now the tongue is the means of communication with this neighbour for good or evil. The mouth can be "the wellspring of wisdom" (v. 4). But it can also be the originator of quarrels (v. 6), of tale-bearing (v. 8), boastfulness (v. 12; James 3:5), hasty answers (v. 13), rough words (v. 23). These sad fruits of the flesh will be eaten by the very one who has produced them (vv. 20, 21; Luke 6:38 end). Blows (v. 6), ruin and a snare for his soul (v. 7), shame (v. 13) and death (v. 21) will follow. What poison and bitter after-taste are hidden in these "dainty morsels" (v. 8, JND trans.)!
Vv. 11, 12 show us another kind of folly: that of the haughty person who puts his trust in the uncertainty of riches and imagines he is protected by them (read Mark 10:24). The righteous man has no other hiding place than the name of the LORD, which is more powerful than the strongest tower (v. 10; cf. Psalms 91:2).