How can we avoid being "wicked" and listening to "evil lips" daily? Opening the Text Proverbs 17:4: “A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar lends an ear to a destructive tongue.” Why This Matters When we listen to evil speech—gossip, slander, deception—we begin to breathe in the atmosphere of sin. Over time, it shapes our thoughts, choices, and character (1 Corinthians 15:33). Guarding the Gateways • Eyes and Ears: What we watch, read, and hear enters the heart (Matthew 6:22-23). • Mind: Our thoughts steer our feet (Proverbs 23:7). • Tongue: What fills the heart spills from the mouth (Matthew 12:34). Cultivating a Taste for Truth • Feast on Scripture daily (Psalm 119:11). • Memorize verses that confront gossip and deceit (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 3:8-9). • Listen to Christ-honoring music, sermons, and conversations (Philippians 4:8). Practical Daily Steps 1. Morning Check-In – Read a portion of Scripture before news, social media, or texts. – Pray Psalm 19:14 over your day. 2. Filter the Voices – Ask, “Does this align with God’s Word?” (Acts 17:11). – If the answer is no, turn it off, scroll past, or excuse yourself. 3. Choose Companions Wisely – “Walk with the wise and you will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). – Limit time with chronic complainers or slanderers; increase time with believers who sharpen you (Proverbs 27:17). 4. Speak Life – Replace negative talk with edifying words (Ephesians 4:29). – When tempted to gossip, stop and pray for the person instead (James 1:19-20). 5. Evening Review – Reflect: Where did I entertain evil lips today? – Confess quickly (1 John 1:9). – Thank God for victories, however small. Encouragement for the Journey By treasuring God’s Word, filtering what we hear, and surrounding ourselves with truth-speaking companions, we distance ourselves from the path of the wicked and tune out evil lips. Stay vigilant, keep feeding on Scripture, and let every day be an exercise in listening to the voice of the Shepherd instead of the hiss of the serpent (John 10:27). |
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