Proverbs 15:1-33 (NLT)
1 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.
3 The LORD is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.
4 Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
5 Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.
6 There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.
7 The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give.
8 The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.
9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness.
10 Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined; whoever hates correction will die.
11 Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the LORD. How much more does he know the human heart!
12 Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.
14 A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.
15 For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.
16 Better to have little, with fear for the LORD, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.
17 A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.
18 A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.
19 A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of the upright is an open highway.
20 Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother.
21 Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.
22 Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.
23 Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind.
25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of widows.
26 The LORD detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words.
27 Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live.
28 The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.
30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.
31 If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.
32 If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.
33 Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.
Three themes – the significance of words that please God; the impact of gladness; love of correction vs pride.
While what we do is critical in that it reflects wisdom over foolishness, the path to these ways that please God begins with words that are spoken, their revelation of the heart’s content, their affirmation of God’s Word, and their declaration of His plans, purposes, and pursuits. The way to happiness, fulfillment, and purpose in life is not discovered apart from appropriate conversation. Any engaging in foolish and evil expressions will disable any possibility of an abundant life. What one has filled the heart with will be heard in words spoken. The way to transformation with this critical part of blessing, then, is to intentionally monitor and control what the heart consumes.
A direct effect of those word strategies is the attitude and mood, the outlook on life. When the words are directed toward the provision of, and hope in God, the spirit is lifted, and everything in life takes on the perspective of victorious possibility over the cloud of incessant defeat. With joy that is found in the presence of the One the mouth has been praising and communing with there is strength to overcome in every challenge with a merry and glad countenance.
While it is critical to know the source of the instruction, it is also required that legitimate correction be received with honor. Rather than letting skepticism and pride allow for rejection and independence from wise counsel, there can be a heart of humility before the Greater One reflected in the reception of all information that will lead to a wise and productive outcome. How much better it is to make an adjustment that will determine the way of prosperity than despise the very things that will lift up with true abundance in life.
“Respond gently when you are confronted and you’ll defuse the rage of another. Responding with sharp, cutting words a will only make it worse.”
How many times do we become challenged when someone approaches us with words that are less than inviting or welcoming. We often become defensive and ready to pounce back? For some reason, we feel we have to defend ourselves. Proving the other wrong, maybe? Declaring our rights and beliefs over the circumstances. Maybe the confrontation has legitimate grounds but there’s such anger in the moment that it only creates more strife. No one is really listening to the other. Nothing is being resolved. The only one winning is Satan, himself.
I believe in these times our identity is being challenged. Someone is believing something about us that is untrue-so we rare up to prove something otherwise. “How can someone think this about me? Maybe I AM a terrible person?” In come the bombarding thoughts of identify theft.
The word tells us specifically that our sharp response with harsh words can only create more conflict. So what do we do?
LOVE….love covers, believes the best in others and always gives instead of takes. Perhaps our giving a response filled with “grace words” Instead of reacting out of defense, is the answer. “Give” what you what to receive back. Give words of LIFE!. Allow the fruit of the spirit to flow in this moment of tension. Remembering that Gods spirit on the inside of you can access “throne room power,” enabling you to defuse the spirit of strife and reveal Gods directives in this movement. Who then gets the glory and praise? Someone being right about a conflict? Someone proving someone else is wrong about something?
EVERYTHING is SEED. Our words are containers. Filled with life or death. We choose but we have to get better at recognizing the enemies traps…teasing us into traps of strife where every evil work abounds and disables Gods best in us and for us.
Holy Spirit help us to recognize the traps of the enemy and only respond BY the spirit, IN love, WITH love.