PROVERBS 11
7 When the wicked dies, his hope will perish,
and the expectation of wealthperishes too.
8 The righteous is delivered from trouble,
and the wicked walks into it instead.
9 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,
but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.
12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man of understanding remains silent.
– Proverbs 11:7-12
PROVERBS 11 ON BELITTLING
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When one has wisdom, he is impartial and understanding
But a man who lacks sense will be discriminating
If one walks the way of the righteous, he is unbiased
But the one who are wicked will have preferences
When one belittles others, they show their foolishness
But one who remains silent is full of wisdom and awareness.
Solomon explains why people belittle others in verse 12. These people do not have understanding. They lack sense. But the book of James has a half chapter of explanation for this sin. He calls it the sin of partiality. He says that those who believe in Christ must not take part in having biases or preferences. He gives the example of selecting people based on how they appear when they come to the place of worship. If you give preference and treat the richly dressed well and belittle someone poorly clothed, you have made distinctions and become evil judges.
Solomon warns us to watch out that we do not belittle others for it shows foolishness.
REFLECTION
· Why do you think people belittle others?
