Shut up! Listen! Be open! Get the facts! Proverbs 18:13,15,17

Good morning all.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!!
    Proverbs!  Did you know Proverbs is divided into parts?  Chapters 1-7 is instruction to sons; 8-9 praising wisdom; 10-19 Goodness vs evil; part 4, chapters 20-29 warnings and instructions; part 5 , chapter 30 the words of Agur; and part 6 is words of King Lemuel.
   Let us look today at goodness vs evil, chapter 18 verses 13, 15, 17.  How to make sound or good decisions.  What should we do?  Well, let us start with verse 13: ¹³ He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
 This is pretty much a shut up and listen first statement.  If you do not know all the facts, how can you possibly respond.  Get the facts first!
  ¹⁵ The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
 Do not set yourself up with a prejudiced idea or perception.  Be open to new ideas, new thoughts.  Because you perceive something one way, does not mean that is the way it is.  Gain knowledge so you can make an educated and wise decision.
  ¹⁷ He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
Oh, how many times do we do this?!?  Someone tells you one thing, you believe it and do not get all the facts.  Think of it this way; the first one to speak sounds right, UNTIL, the cross-examination begins.  Wow!!  How often do we hear one side of the story and wish to jump to the defense of that person; OR, possibly tell them what to do or how to correct; yet all the facts are not in.
   We need to use the Dragnet approach:  "Just the facts, ma'am, just the facts." (Dragnet is an old old police tv show)
    So, what are these verses saying?  1. shut up and listen; 2. be open to new thoughts/ideas; 3. get all the facts.  Now is that so hard?  Well, yes it is.  It seems we tend to jump to conclusions quickly and set up in our mind how things should be.  Take time with God; you have talents given to you by God; visit with Him, and do the right thing.  Remember, Jesus is the answer for the world today. Above Him there is no other, Jesus is the way.  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace,
   Johnny