Proverbs 18:20 Commentary and Bible Study

‘A man’s belly’ – his innermost appetite and contentment – ‘shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth.’ In other words, his words to others – every man and woman here has a ministry of words – the stewardship of words. We are all of us giving out words. It is a ministry. If we administer, marshal, utter those words in a right spirit, it is tremendously fulfilling to us. If you can give words of encouragement it is fulfilling to you. If you have been useful, if you have been helpful, it is very uplifting to you to have an effective ministry of words. It is invigorating. Why, this principle – I don’t want to complicate matters – but it applies even in a wrong sense. I don’t commend it for this, but if a person is very angry and gets his anger off his chest, he feels better. Well, that is in the wrong sense, you see. On the other hand, don’t forget that if you do good with words and are helpful and constructive and edifying, you get great personal contentment and satisfaction.‘And with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.’ You will be invigorated. This is not about small talk and nonsense, but this is about contributing to one another in encouragement and helpfulness and expression of good things, and in teaching where it is applicable. It is something which greatly increases your own fulfilment and well-being as a Christian man or woman, and it is so beneficial to fellowship. So think of your words as a ministry.