G'day friends, it's Pastor Joe here from the Helping You Become podcast. In this episode, we dive back into our study of prevailing Proverbs, emphasising how God's divine wisdom must rule our lives. I start with a prayer for the Holy Spirit to reveal fresh insights to each listener, bringing real change.

I encourage everyone to handwrite the Book of Proverbs chapter by chapter—it's a powerful way to absorb its wisdom and show the Lord you're serious about spiritual growth. Don't type it; write it out by hand. When my girls were young, I paid them $10 per chapter to memorise the Book of James, and they still know it word-for-word in their 20s. It's transformative!

For this study, I've grouped Proverbs into 12 categories, all starting with 'W' (just how they came to me in my notebook): words, wisdom, wealth, warnings, women, worry, wine, work, wastefulness, winter, wake-up calls, and way of life. These aren't exhaustive, but they're a fun way to explore the book's themes on family, business, parenting, and more. The key is to learn Proverbs—ideally memorise it—so its wisdom prevails.

Today, we focus on 'words.' Using the Amplified Bible, Proverbs 4:24 warns: "Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you." False speech contaminates pure communication and leads us astray spiritually. We must guard against it.

Proverbs 5:2 adds: "That you may exercise proper discrimination and discretion. And your lips may guard and keep knowledge and the wise answer to temptation." Don't let words contradict Scripture. Even Jesus was tempted to misuse words for worldly gain (Matthew 4), but He responded with "It is written," prevailing with God's Word.

In Proverbs 10:19-21: "In a multitude of words transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent. The tongues of those who are upright... are as choice silver... The lips of the [righteous] feed and guide many, but fools die for want of understanding and heart."

Wise, righteous speech is valuable like silver—feeding and guiding others. Foolish talk from wicked hearts is worthless. Don't seek spiritual advice from worldly people; it's like asking your dentist to do your taxes. Life itself is spiritual, covered in the Bible (e.g., "Render unto Caesar...").

Unrighteous words lead to want, shortage, and even death—physical or spiritual. I share about my nephew who died tragically due to foolishness, like getting in a car with a drunk driver. We must discern where to get advice and when to speak or stay silent, as Jesus did (Mark 4:33).

Friends, commit to letting Proverbs' wisdom prevail. We're out of time—head to livingsuccess.org for free resources and subscribe. God bless you as we help you become all you can in Christ.