Learning what it means to worship the Lord our God is the purpose of Scripture. God reveals himself on the pages though his miraculous work, pure character, and the people he highlights for faith. Since the beginning of our reading in the Wisdom Book of Proverbs, we have learned our worship of God is reflected in our practical lifestyle choices.
When human beings choose a foolish lifestyle [void of Wisdom], they end up isolating themselves farther and farther from living in the Truth. In stepping away from a humble posture before God, people become destructive, judgmental, critical, and opinionated—fools. This isolation pushes any kind of conscience or conviction to the side; people do not see their actions as self-serving or their mouths like machine guns shooting out careless and condemning words that wound the soul of others. Fools think the worst and act accordingly; becoming absorbed with self. Living foolishly is always a temptation, so Solomon shares with his son and writes about it in some form in every chapter, so God’s people will better understand the ways of Wisdom.
No matter what generation in which we live, we can choose to be foolish or wise; everyone has the opportunity to choose between living for good or evil. Although, as human beings, we will always struggle against sin in thought, word, or deed, we do not have the right to simply say what we want and then apologize later. In time after repeated harm, no one is listening to us; we are too caustic and untrustworthy with their feelings.
There is a time to confront a person and time to be quiet; Wisdom knows the difference. Arguments, quarrels, and outbursts of anger show very little self-control. According to Solomon, a fool has a closed mind to the sound judgment shared by others while at the same time has a big mouth. This is another picture of pride. It’s a human problem and for this reason James reminds Christ’s [Wisdom] followers, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” (1:19).
How about gossip? People tend to love juicy gossip—negative information—and they can hang onto it for a very longtime; long after it may even be proven false. Gossip is an addiction and it destroys lives and relationships. Gossip has been described as a “delicacy” to the appetites of fools. So, when those seeking to grow in Wisdom hear gossip, what is the proper response? We need to speak up when others are put down; at those times a reputation is being destroyed. So speak up in righteousness, because in Christ we are full of truth and grace. Let’s remember, in Christ, our delicacy [food] is to do the will of the Father (John 19:30).
Waging war against sin by acting in righteousness is Wisdom’s call to every believer, because it delivers one from evil. The words and ways of a wise person brings forth blessing. Foolishness delivers dishonor, shame, and disgrace in time leaving a person abandoned in desperate need of the Savior. Certainly, Jesus is right there to bring that salvation, but if a person continues on the path of foolishness, the consequences become more and more severe.
The Ten Commandments given by God are love orders, because God cares about our relationship with himself and with others. I ran across the Ten Commandments of Human Relations [by Robert G. Lee 1927-1960] while reading today and thought I would share them with you:
Speak to people
Smile at people
Call people by name
Be friendly and helpful
Be genuinely interested in people
Be generous with praise and cautious with criticism
Be considerate with the feelings of others
Be alert to give service
Learn to trust people
Have a sense of humor
Scripture reveals Jesus emulated all of these things throughout his brief human life on earth. The words of a fool can become a trap for his life; words can bring about ruin and destruction. It may take a lifetime to build a good reputation, but very quickly that can be destroyed when a person forgets the need to tame the tongue.
Proverbs 17 NLT
1
Better a dry crust eaten in peace
than a house filled with feasting—and conflict.
2
A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son
and will share the inheritance of the master’s children.
3
Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,
but the Lord tests the heart.
4
Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip;
liars pay close attention to slander.
5
Those who mock the poor insult their Maker;
those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.
6
Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged;
parents are the pride of their children.
7
Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool;
even less are lies fitting for a ruler.
8
A bribe is like a lucky charm;
whoever gives one will prosper!
9
Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,
but dwelling on it separates close friends.
10
A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding
than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.
11
Evil people are eager for rebellion,
but they will be severely punished.
12
It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than to confront a fool caught in foolishness.
13
If you repay good with evil,
evil will never leave your house.
14
Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate,
so stop before a dispute breaks out.
15
Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—
both are detestable to the Lord.
16
It is senseless to pay to educate a fool,
since he has no heart for learning.
17
A friend is always loyal,
and a brother is born to help in time of need.
18
It’s poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt
or put up security for a friend.
19
Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin;
anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.
20
The crooked heart will not prosper;
the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.
21
It is painful to be the parent of a fool;
there is no joy for the father of a rebel.
22
A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.
23
The wicked take secret bribes
to pervert the course of justice.
24
Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom,
but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
25
Foolish children bring grief to their father
and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.
26
It is wrong to punish the godly for being good
or to flog leaders for being honest.
27
A truly wise person uses few words;
a person with understanding is even-tempered.
28
Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent;
with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.
Prayer: Father, please help us focus not just on our interests but upon the interests of others. Help us to listen and talk less. We desire for our words to be a flowing river of life for others, so we ask for you, Holy Spirit, to put a watch over our mouths. As well, please guard us against pushing through our agendas at the sake and well-being of others; you love the motivation and work ethic we have to make a difference for the Kingdom, but how we do it is even more important. In Jesus’ name. Amen.