Bridges on Proverbs 10:23
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 10:23
 
 1 
 2 
 3 
 4 
 5 
 6-7 
 8 
 9 
 10 
 11 
 12 
 13 
 14 
 15 
 16 
 17 
 18 
 19 
 20-21 
 22 
 23 
 24 
 25 
 26 
 27 
 28 
 29 
 30 
 31-32 
 
23.  It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
 
The wanton sport of putting others to pain argues the perverseness of a fool both in judgment and heart. (Chapter 26:18, 19. 2 Samuel 2:14-16.) Sometimes this cruel amusement may engage a man in the tempter's work. (Chapter 1:11-14.) For fools, who make sport of mischief, may heedlessly go on to “make a mock of sin.” (Chapter 14:9.) But even without going so far, should not we guard against mischievous jokes, tending to wound a neighbor's character, or to give him uneasiness? Are we sufficiently careful against indulging our wit or humour at his expense? All this is not less unmanly, than it is inconsistent with the sobriety and gravity of a Christian profession. It is the pure native selfishness of the human heart. Should not also children's play be sometimes under restraint? Young people cannot be too strongly disciplined to thoughtfulness and consideration of others. Never let their hilarity of spirits lead to make sport of that, which ought to call forth sympathy and tenderness. A man of understanding is too wise to find a reckless delight in his neighbor's injury. The spirit of our Divine Master was according to his own law (Galatians 6:2) — eminently considerate and sympathizing. (Luke 7:13.) Let us who bear his name, cultivate his self-denying, loving mind. (Philippians 2:4, 5.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 26:18, 19
18 ¶ As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, {firebrands: Heb. flames, or, sparks} 19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
 
2 Samuel 2:14-16
14 And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise. 15 Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. 16 And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon. {Helkathhazzurim: that is, The field of strong men}
 
 
Proverbs 1:11-14
11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: 12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: 13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: 14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
 
 
Proverbs 14:9
9 ¶ Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
 
 
Galatians 6:2
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
 
 
Luke 7:13
13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
 
 
Philippians 2:4, 5
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: