Anchors to Guide and Govern - Gibson

When I responded to God’s invitation to write on the topics of faith and life in the secular media, he terrified me for a season. He allowed—for reasons still obscure to me (except for the fact that my ignorance made me bold)—the placement of my words in national and international mainstream media.

I’m a very simple woman. But regularly the call came for words and opinions I knew were far beyond my natural capability of thought. As so many have before and beside me, I felt the immediate need for increased prayer and specific anchors to guide and govern my words. The Holy Spirit and God’s Word have provided that.

Here are just a few of the verses that have stabilized me, taken from the book of Proverbs, in the New King James Version of Scripture.

They may encourage a few others, too, no matter in which venue God has called you to write or speak. But if God calls you outside of the Christian marketplace—don’t back away. He will equip you to go there. Seek Divine wisdom and brace yourself with the Word.

Ch. 16

3. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
9. In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.
13. Kings take pleasure in honest lips (words). They value a man who speaks the truth.
18. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
20. Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
21. The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.
23. A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.
24. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Ch.17

27. A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered
28. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

Ch. 18

13. He who answers before listening—that is his folly and his shame.
20. From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
21. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Ch. 19

8. He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers.

Ch. 20

6. Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?
15. Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
27. The lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being.

Ch. 21

5. The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6. A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
22. A wise man attacks the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
23. He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.

Ch.22

1. A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
4. Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.
11. He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.
12. The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
29. Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.

Kathleen Gibson is author of West Nile Diary-One Couple's Triumph Over a Devastating Disease www.kathleengibson.ca