Proverb 29

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. [Pr. 29:11]

God is not nervous about all the injustices in the world. He deals with everything in stride, and always has the last word on a matter. His people can walk in the same mindset, bringing calm to the strife in life.

Keeping calm and relying upon empathetic hearing can give the Christian a chance to witness to the upset.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. [Pr. 15:1]

Proverbs 24-28

God looks out for the poor and so should we.

He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. [Pr. 14:21]

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. [Pr. 19:17]

The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. [Pr. 22:9]

Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse. [Pr 28:6]

The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. [Pr. 29:7]

Proverb 23

The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise. [Pr. 23:24 NLT]

This is very true. Fathers find great joy in seeing their children serve the Lord. For me personally, one of the greatest joys of my life is to see my children and grandchildren love Jesus and live for Him.

If they were wildly successful in business or social status yet away from the Lord, I would have a deep longing to see them get right with Christ. If pleasing the Lord became their first priority, all else would find its healthy place in their life.

My daily prayer is that they will love Jesus the way I do and let Him lead them. It’s the BEST WAY to live.

Proverbs 20-22

How important is the reputation of your name?

A good name [earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom, moral courage, and personal integrity] is more desirable than great riches; And favor is better than silver and gold. [Pr. 20:1 AMP]

With a good name and a favorable credit rating, you can borrow money … for a home, a car etc. A bad reputation for repaying debts will leave you high and dry when an emergency need arises. Whether you realize it or not, the financial community pays close attention to your trustworthiness.

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. [Pr. 20:11 KJV]

Proverb 19

I must mention the wonderful woman I have been married to for over 50 years, because she IS the prudent wife. (Just ask anyone who knows her)

Wise, sensible, understanding, insightful, congenial … these are the many descriptive words other Bible translations use for the word prudent.

Also noteworthy; she is FROM THE LORD. God grooms these amazing women to perform some of the most critical functions known to mankind. Childbearing, home organization and decor, food preparation, and just plain “lookin’ good” are among the many tools they possess … er, tools is not the best word here.

Because of Patty, I am “known in the gates.” She is also mentioned in Proverbs 31.

OK, I’m gonna eat well today!

Proverb 18

As many cautions as the Word of God gives about the damage the tongue can cause, you’d think we would all focus on our ears. Sorry. It doesn’t shake out that way. We are so bent on “expressing ourselves.”

It’s PRIDE.

If we respected true wisdom and preferred to hear those who possess it, our world would be MUCH QUIETER … and our TVs would be out of business.

Listen before you speak, for to speak before you’ve heard the facts will bring humiliation. [Pr. 18:13 TPT]

Clever people go after knowledge to obtain it, and wise people attune their ears to hear it. [Pr 18:15 VOICE]

Let’s all go treasure hunting with our ears.

Proverb 17

Bitter conflict, discord, antagonism; who wants any of THAT?

Less is better when strife is absent. Strife kills relationships, breeds wars, makes life miserable. We are wise to avoid it.

Where there is strife, there is pride (and arrogance), but wisdom is found in those who take advice. [Pr. 13:10 NIV]

Expel the arrogant and discord goes too; strife and insult cease. [Pr. 22:10 NABRE]

This is a big reason why pride and arrogance need to be driven OUT of children. If they continue in it, their life will be a constant struggle (for themselves and others).

Proverbs 16, 17

We all know dirt on people. It’s discreet and loving to overlook faults and offenses on the part of others.

He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, But he who repeats or gossips about a matter separates intimate friends. [Pr. 17:9 AMP]

It gets more difficult to hold on to this principle when the offender takes advantage of you or belittles you … or doesn’t deserve the gesture. Nevertheless, one of you must be more honorable and take the hit. After all, ISN’T THAT WHAT JESUS DID FOR US?!?

Proverb 15

The Bible addresses no other member of the human body nearly as much as the tongue. Also , our speech is probably the activity of the Christian probably most cautioned.

Our mind is positioned very close to the tongue and is critical in verbal health. Failure to properly engage the mind before you speak is like veering off a cliff’s footpath. A disastrous end awaits you.

A daily diet of God’s Word is the very best material with which to fill your mind. Your words will likewise utter health and healing to hearers all around.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. [Pr. 18:21]

Proverbs 13, 14

The book of Proverbs has much to say about fools and wise men. Here we find clear instruction on identifying the behavior of fools and how to deal with them. One has to look no further than one’s TV to behold loads of folly.

The rub can come when we try to dialogue with a fool. For instance, we read, “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.” That probably means, “Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly.” [Pr. 26:4]

Also, “Answer [and correct the erroneous concepts of] a fool according to his folly, Otherwise he will be wise in his own eyes [if he thinks you agree with him].” [Pr. 26:5]

It appears that we have those critical moments of dialogue to draw attention to true wisdom rather than besetting foolishness.