Proverbs 18

 Link to full passage on Bible Gateway

Humility Goes Before Honor

He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him (verse 13). Ahh – a time for self-examination. How often am I interrupting? How well am I listening? Am I humbling myself so that I can really hear what the other person is saying – or am I thinking about what I am going to say next? Do I delight in understanding – or only in revealing my own mind (Verse 2)? Do I encourage conversation, or do I stop the flow of fellowship? Do I seek to edify or just seek to be understood? Dear Father, please help me to examine my own speech. Help me to examine my heart. Help me to listen. Help me to humble myself so that I may hear the words of others, and the intent of their speech, that through our conversations our relationships will be enriched. And help me to humble myself before You so that I may listen to You. Please cleanse my heart with Your beautiful words of wisdom. May I bring honor to You in all that I say. May I edify others with words from a heart that reflects Your love.