Pondering Proverbs

Proverbs 26:20 Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.

Perhaps we have all heard of the phrase, “adding fuel to the fire!” And maybe, just maybe we have all at one time or another stoked fuel on a family feud.

This idiom of adding fuel to the fire can be traced back to ancient Rome and The history of Titus Livius who lived around 1AD: “Not withstanding my remonstrance, you have added fuel to this fire, by sending to your army a youth who burns with an ambition of sovereignty…

Elsewhere the saying is defined as to make a situation or conflict intensify, especially via provocative comments.

A minister once formed a mutual encouragement fellowship at a time of stress in one of his churches . The members subscribed to a simple formula applied before speaking of any person or subject that was perhaps controversial.

T--Is it true?

H--Is it helpful?
I--Is it inspiring?

N--Is it necessary?
K--Is it kind?

The3 rule of thumb was to ask yourself, “If what I am about to say does not pass those tests, I will keep my mouth shut!” And he says “it worked!”

Paul writing to the Philippians said, “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realised. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” Phil 4:8

Now there’s real fuel to fire the soul!

Well might we pray, “Gracious God, open my eyes today to whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—give me eyes to see and the grace to give You thanks for it all.” Amen