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PROVERBS 17 ON RESTRAINING WORDS

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November 13

PROVERBS 17

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father
    and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good,
    nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
    and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;
    when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

                                                                    – Proverbs 17:25-28

PROVERBS 17 ON RESTRAINING WORDS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Those who know how to control his tongue is wise

But anyone who does not guard his mouth is a fool

Only when you close your lips can you actually hear

But a fool is someone who cannot shut his mouth

When a fool restrains his words, he can seem wise

But an incessant talker conveys much silliness

Aim to restrain your tongue so you can gain wisdom

Be quick to hear and slow to speak so you can be prudent.

We live in a world full of noise. Every person wants to be heard but no one wants to listen. Social media platforms encourage individuals to voice out their opinions, viewpoints, complaints, criticisms and all kinds of self-indulgence on how good they are. The world focuses on “look at me” or “listen to what I think.” Many people have taken freedom of speech to the extreme that they do not care if they hurt others.

Solomon speaks about the importance of restraining our words in this Proverb. Even fools look intelligent when they guard their mouths. He repeats this in Ecclesiastes 5:2 when he said “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think people have a tendency to use many words instead of few?
  • What happens when we don’t guard our mouths with the words we utter?

PROVERBS 17 A JOYFUL HEART VERSUS A CRUSHED SPIRIT

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November 13

PROVERBS 17

21 He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow,
    and the father of a fool has no joy.
22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 The wicked accepts a bribe in secret
    to pervert the ways of justice.
24 The discerning sets his face toward wisdom,
    but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

                                                                    – Proverbs 17:21-24

PROVERBS 17 A JOYFUL HEART VERSUS A CRUSHED SPIRIT

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When one has the fear of the Lord, he has joy and wisdom

A joyful heart prevents the deterioration of the body

But a crushed spirit pulls everyone it meets down

The one who dwells on life’s miseries dries up his bones

Rejoice in the Lord and you’ll be content and satisfied

Keep your eyes on the world and you will be dissatisfied.

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he teaches them the secret to a joyful heart which is contentment. Philippians 4:11-12  He says that he has learned in whatever situation that he is to be content, whether he has plenty or he has lack, abundance or need. If one dwells on the things that they lack, covetousness and temptations will visit one’s heart. But if a person’s heart is focused on thanksgiving no matter how big or little it is, he begins to count his blessings and recognize the blessings that he has received. Then rejoicing automatically follows. Paul also writes to Timothy that godliness with contentment is great gain in 1 Timothy 6:6-11. He says that since we brought nothing into the world, we cannot take anything out of the world, so he suggests for the believers to be content.  Man’s desires and cravings lead him to temptations, covetousness, discontent and the book of James says the same that these cravings give birth to sin which crushes our spirits and sucks out the joy in our hearts.

REFLECTION

  • How can we avoid being depressed and discontented  and have more joy?

November 12

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PROVERBS 17

16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
    but a fool flaunts his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
    but a faithful envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction,
    but whoever heeds reproof is honored.
19 A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
    but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

                                                                    – Proverbs 17:16-20

PROVERBS 17 WHEN ONE IGNORES INSTRUCTION

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When one doesn’t listen to counsel from wise people

He will encounter difficulties, poverty and disgrace

When a parent brings up his children in wisdom and truth

That child learns to obey and follow directions

But when children are left on their own without reproof

They also learn how to be defiant and ignore instructions.

Paul instructs the Ephesian church as to the importance of bringing up children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord in Ephesians 6:1-4. He mentions that to honor your parents is the first commandment with a promise. Things will go well with those who obey their parents. There is also strict instruction to the fathers not to provoke their children in anger but to discipline them in God’s laws.

Solomon gives us the result when people ignore instructions in verse 18 which leads to poverty and disgrace. In Proverbs 29:15 he says that the rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. He further admonishes parents to discipline your child and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart. It is sad that in today’s world, many parents don’t bring up their children in God’s instructions.

REFLECTION

  • Share some insights regarding lack of discipline in children in our society now.

PROVERBS 17 THOSE WHO SEEK REBELLION

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November 11

PROVERBS 17

11 An evil man seeks only rebellion,
    and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs
    rather than a fool in his folly.
13 If anyone returns evil for good,
    evil will not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
    so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous
    are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

                                                                    – Proverbs 17:11-15

PROVERBS 17 THOSE WHO SEEK REBELLION

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Those who love to go against authority seek rebellion

They do not respect anyone else but themselves alone

Whoever stirs up an insurgence is doing it against the Lord himself

God placed authorities in our lives so we can be accountable to them

Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft and stubbornness as bad as idols

When we rebel, we are defying God’s laws and dishonoring the Lord.

Solomon described in this proverb that rebellion is an act of an evil person. Romans 13:1-2 says that everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So, anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. Paul continues to explain in verses 4-5 that authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So, you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. So those who don’t submit to authority are rebels.

REFLECTION

  • How is rebellion the sin of witchcraft as 1 Samuel 15:23 says?

PROVERBS 17 ON COVERING AN OFFENSE

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November 10

PROVERBS 17

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
    and the glory of children is their fathers.
7 Fine speech is not becoming to a fool;
    still less is false speech to a prince.
8 A bribe is like a magicstone in the eyes of the one who gives it;
    wherever he turns he prospers.
9 Whoever covers an offense seeks love,
    but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
10 A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding
    than a hundred blows into a fool.

                                                                    – Proverbs 17:6-10

PROVERBS 17 ON COVERING AN OFFENSE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Love is patient, kind and doesn’t give up

It is not easily offended and slow to react

To cover an offense is a manifestation of love

Those who do not love, holds on to faults

When one covers an offense, he shows forgiveness

When one holds on to offense, they are unrighteous.

One of the hardest things to do is to let go of offense. Because we are fallen people and have inherited sin from Adam and Eve, we automatically get offended. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he described what the way of love. It is very different from how the world defines love. He says that the way of love manifests patience, kindness, humility, doesn’t hold on to wrongdoings, forgiving, rejoices with truth, believes all things, endures all things and never gives up. The world’s way on the other hand is the opposite. It is quick to react, harsh, arrogant and hides the truth, easily gives up and focuses on the self.

Covering an offense is a loving manifestation of a forgiving heart. When we let go of offense and focus on forgiving, we close the doors to Satan to eliminate us from being his prey that he can devour.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it important to cover the offenses that others have committed to us?

PROVERBS 17 WHEN YOU MOCK THE POOR

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November 9

PROVERBS 17

 Better is a dry morsel with quiet
   than a house full of feastingwith strife.
2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully
    and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
3 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
    and the Lord tests hearts.
4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
    and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

5 Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker;
    he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

                                                                    – Proverbs 17:1-5

PROVERBS 17 WHEN YOU MOCK THE POOR

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you serve the Lord your God, you must be impartial

To prefer the rich rather than the poor insults your Maker

God created humans and he made them all equal

When you mock the poor, you are also mocking your Maker.

The book of James in chapter 2 talks about the sin of partiality. He says that if you serve the Lord Jesus Christ, you should have nothing to do with any form of discrimination. He gives the example of a situation when a rich man enters an assembly and wears a gold ring and fine clothing and another poor man in shabby clothing also comes in and you give preference to the rich one and treat the poor man badly, you have made distinctions and become judges with evil thoughts. Then James continues to tell us that God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of his kingdom.

Solomon also admonishes us not to mock the poor because if we do so, we are insulting our Maker. Genesis 1:27 says that we are all made in God’s image, man and woman alike. He didn’t make one better than the other, but he has all his DNA of righteousness planted in our hearts. When we go against the way he made us we are mocking him. We are presuming that we know better than he does.

REFLECTION

  • What are some ways we can mock the poor that can insult our Lord?

PROVERBS 16 WHEN ONE IS SLOW TO ANGER

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November 8

PROVERBS 16

30 Whoever winks his eyes plan dishonest things;
    he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;
    it is gained in a righteous life.
32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
    and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
    but its every decision is from the Lord.

                                                                    – Proverbs 16:30-33

PROVERBS 16 WHEN ONE IS SLOW TO ANGER

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When one has patience and can control his temper

He is better than the strong and the mighty

When one isn’t easily provoked, he will gain friends

But the one who is quick to get angry is avoided

Whoever exercises control over his mouth and emotions

He is stronger because he does not give in to dysregulation.

There are some things that are hard to control in our lives. One of them is our tongue. The book of James explains in chapter 3 that the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. He says that animals can be tamed but the tongue of man is untameable. It is a restless evil full of deadly poison and is set on fire by hell. So, since we all have a tongue that is impossible to be tamed, it is probably wise for us know how to control our mouths. From the same mouth we can either bless or curse someone. When we are angry, most likely the tongue will manifest it through harsh or cruel words and can be followed by the hand or other parts of our bodies that can hurt others. Anger in itself is not a sin but Paul says in Ephesians 4:26-27 “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil”. No wonder Solomon stresses the importance of being slow to anger and how valuable it is. He thinks that when one is slow to anger, he is stronger than the mighty.

REFLECTION

  • How is controlling our mouths the beginning of controlling anger?

PROVERBS 16 A WAY THAT SEEMS RIGHT

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November 7

PROVERBS 16

25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but its end is the way to death.
26 A worker’s appetite works for him;
    his mouth urges him on.
27 A worthless man plots evil,
    and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A dishonest man spreads strife,
    and a whisperer separates close friends
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor
    and leads him in a way that is not good.

                                                                    – Proverbs 16:25-29

PROVERBS 16 A WAY THAT SEEMS RIGHT

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

There is a way that seems right but leads to death

It only takes care that a man’s interests are satisfied

This path caters to all that is comfortable and easy

There is no room for hard and difficult in this journey

The way that seems right does not want endurance

This path does not create relationships and character

The way that is truly right is the one that leads to God

It is narrow and difficult because this path leads to life.

We live in a world where most people hug and hoard comfort and an easy life. The world system has corrupted our minds thinking that the easy way is the right way. It may seem right because it caters for getting your desires met but it actually leads to spiritual death.

It is okay for unbelievers to take this path because they do not know the Lord, but Christian must watch which road to take because in Luke 9:23, Jesus requires his followers to deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow him. To deny oneself means to cater to the way of the Spirit rather than satisfying the cravings of the flesh. So, the right path isn’t supposed to be easy and comfortable.

REFLECTION

  • Why do some people think that the easy way seems to be the right way?

PROVERBS 16 LIKE A HONEYCOMB

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November 6

PROVERBS 16

19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
    than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Whoever gives thought to the wordwill discover good,
    and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
21 The wise of heart is called discerning,
    and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,
    but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
    and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

                                                                    – Proverbs 16:19-24

PROVERBS 16 LIKE A HONEYCOMB

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Precious are the words that come from the mouth of God

They add sweetness to our soul and health to our bodies like a honeycomb

When we use the truth that comes from Scripture

We will find good sense and give us the right attitude

Whoever dwells and meditates on the word of truth

They will find the fountain of life flowing and bearing fruits.

A honeycomb is a mass of hexagonal prismatic cells built from beeswax by honey bees in their nests to contain their brood (eggs, larvae, and pupae) and stores of honey and pollen. Honeycomb is rich in carbohydrates, antioxidants and minerals. Honeycomb can be eaten directly as a treat. Judges 14:9 tells us of Samson who killed a lion and he scraped honeycomb out into his hands and went on, eating as he went. And he came to his father and mother and gave some to them, and they ate. But he did not tell them that he had scraped the honey from the carcass of the lion. The honeycomb must have been the source of Samson’s great strength.

REFLECTION

  • How can the word of God be compared with a honeycomb?

PROVERBS 16 PRIDE LEADS TO DESTRUCTION

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November 5

PROVERBS 16

13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
    and he loves him who speaks what is right.
14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
    and a wise man will appease it.
15 In the light of a king’s face there is life,
    and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
    To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;
    whoever guards his way preserves his life.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
    and a haughty spirit before a fall.

                                                                    – Proverbs 16:13-18

PROVERBS 16 PRIDE LEADS TO DESTRUCTION

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

A man who thinks highly of himself will come to ruin

He who has a haughty spirit will constantly sin

His mind seeks only what is pleasing to himself

He has no concern for others but to gratify his desires

A proud man is wicked and is an abomination to the Lord

He will not go unpunished for he does not acknowledge God.

King Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26:16 after he became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. In 2 Chronicles 32:24-26: “Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown to him; therefore, the Lord’s wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem”. In Daniel 4 we also have King Nebuchadnezzar as another king who was so proud. Daniel warns Nebuchadnezzar that he is a tree that could be cut down because of his pride in his power. Nebuchadnezzar will become more like an animal than a man, and will be humiliated and dethroned for seven years.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think pride leads to destruction?