Proverbs 18:6-12

Proverbs 18:6-12
English Standard Version
​6 A fool's lips walk into a fight,
    and his mouth invites a beating.
7 A fool's mouth is his ruin,
    and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
    they go down into the inner parts of the body.
9 Whoever is slack in his work
    is a brother to him who destroys.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
    the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
11 A rich man's wealth is his strong city,
    and like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Before destruction a man's heart is haughty,
    but humility comes before honor.

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We'll look at two connected thoughts in today's passage, a man's words and his works.  We'll start with his words.  The fool says things to try to get people angry and to provoke a fight (verbal or physical).  His mouth invites a beating.  If you've ever heard something about "fighting words," I think that's what Solomon is getting at here.  As such, the fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his own soul.  There is no one to blame for his downfall and demise except himself.

The gossip that the fool whispers may seem like sweet morsels that people want to gobble up, but they are full of poison that will destroy you from the inside out.

Those who instead are wise because they hope and trust in the Name of the LORD will find Him and His Name to be like a strong tower.  The righteous run into it for safety and security and they are saved.  A rich man may be tempted to trust in the defenses of his walled compound or city, but no wall can protect him from the LORD's wrath.  Pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.  However, humility comes before honor, see Philippians 2:1-11 for the greatest example of this.