Proverbs 15 - 8.26.21
Scripture - What stood out?
Proverbs 15:1,4,8,32,33
A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
Whoever ignores instruction despises himself,
but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.
Observation - What does it say?
In this chapter Solomon continues to teach us about God’s wisdom. In chapter one verse seven of this book we are told:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Understanding - What does it mean?
It is very rare for me to want to do anything when I am struggling emotionally. I usually look to do the bare minimum to get by. In these periods I usually work, eat, and sleep. That’s it. As I have gotten further along in my education of the Lord, these unintentional periods of fallow ground have become fewer and farther apart, but when they arrive all in my household know.
And because I am so grown in the Lord I purposely stay away from the Word of God, because as I stated previously...I am so grown. But even these times “away” have grown shorter and shorter. As you grow in knowledge of the Lord you learn to set apart the time. So unfortunately for me, this is what I heard today:
A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
Whoever ignores instruction despises himself,
but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.
Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?
I grew up in a home/tradition that was ensconced in humility and honor. Apologies were the norm, not the exception. Yet here I am Lord with my haunches dug in unwilling to move, preparing my dissertation. And yet you are very clear in your message to me - where was your heart when you responded?
James 1:20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God
I pray that I am given another opportunity today - to respond softly.
In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.
-kenneth lee
