A FRIEND WHO IS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER

Proverbs 18:1-24 / Keywords 18:24

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

18:1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends

    and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding

    but delight in airing their own opinions.

3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt,

    and with shame comes reproach.

4 The words of the mouth are deep waters,

    but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked

    and so deprive the innocent of justice.

6 The lips of fools bring them strife,

    and their mouths invite a beating.

7 The mouths of fools are their undoing,

    and their lips are a snare to their very lives.

8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;

    they go down to the inmost parts.

9 One who is slack in his work

    is brother to one who destroys.

10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;

    the righteous run to it and are safe.

11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;

    they imagine it a wall too high to scale.

12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty,

    but humility comes before honor.

13 To answer before listening—

    that is folly and shame.

14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,

    but a crushed spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,

    for the ears of the wise seek it out.

16 A gift opens the way

    and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,

    until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

18 Casting the lot settles disputes

    and keeps strong opponents apart.

19 A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city;

    disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;

    with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.

21 The tongue has the power of life and death,

    and those who love it will eat its fruit.

22 He who finds a wife finds what is good

    and receives favor from the Lord.

23 The poor plead for mercy,

    but the rich answer harshly.

24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,

    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

1. In this chapter, there are many wise warnings about watching what you say. Do your words get you into trouble again and again? (1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 13, 21) We need to rely on the Lord’s Name and ask the Holy Spirit to help us have discernment (10, 15). For example, instead of talking, a gift is more powerful (16, 23). 

2. What do you do when you confront wickedness and injustice (5)? We should not be passive, nor join in. We need to run to the Lord Jesus, and he becomes a strong tower to protect us (10). Proud people rely on money or themselves. But those who humbly rely on Jesus will be honored over others (12). 

3. An angry brother can be unyielding not wanting to lose to his brother (19). But there is a friend who is closer than a brother (24). He is Jesus. He knows us and understands us and is ready to forgive. People can be good, like a prudent wife (22), and people can be harsh, like a stingy, rich person (23). Sometimes friends can be unreliable (24), and sometimes our family can’t be there to help us in our deep despair (14). But Jesus is our Faithful Friend. He is always there and speaks to us the words of life. Thank you, Jesus, for always being close to me. 

Prayer Father, thank you for Jesus who is my closest Friend. Help me to trust in Him. 

One Word What a Friend we have in Jesus!