The Wise Welcome Instruction

Proverbs 15:5:

5 A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

There is a clear role for parental authority in life of God's people. A wise some listens to the instruction, where as the unwise do the opposite. There seems to be a large emphasis on admitting wrongness than being correct. Saying "this is what I believe and I don't care what anyone else says" is a scary place to be.

Sticks and Stones Got Nothing on Words

Proverbs 15:4:

4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

The mouth is regular used a metaphor for what goes in and out of a person. It can also affect those around us. And as this verse points out, our words can help and they can hurt. I bet if we could given a daily report on how our words impacted those around us we'd talk a lot less.

God and Santa Claus, Part II

Proverbs 15:3:

3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

A while back I posted about how God is all seeing, similar to Santa, but yet not all judging. God makes an important distinction between measuring and condemning. He does see everything we do. He does measure whether it is good or evil. But he does not constantly dish out his favor accordingly. He he is righteous and merciful. Something Santa only dreams of being.

In Wisdom There is No Middle Ground

Proverbs 15:2:

2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

Over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again Proverbs has made the comparison of the wise and the foolish. The format goes: fools do one thing, wise people do another. It's not very PC to label people in such blunt categories, but the Bible doesn't seem to care. There seems to be two distinct types of people. The question is, which comes out of our mouth.

Gentleness Diffuses, Harshness Inflames

Proverbs 15:1:

1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Something we all know, but don't always follow. We care more about ourselves than others, so we give our knee jerk reaction. Kindness can make a situation better for both parties, whereas a biting comment only makes things worse. An important lesson in this: we are responsible for sin, even when the sin is not our own.

Impacting Your Nation

Proverbs 14:34-35:

34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 A servant who deals wisely has the king's favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

Not only do your actions impact your family (for good and bad), but they also influence your country. It's interesting to read this in the context of upcoming primary elections, economic turmoil in Europe, and Arab Spring in the Middle East. These individuals, be they politicians, central bankers, or protesters certainly color how we view the nations they represent.

Difference Between Knowledge and Wisdom

Proverbs 14:33:

33 Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.

Even knowledge is a part of wisdom, they are not the same thing. Notice the emphasis on the heart and not the head. Wisdom is not just about knowing, but applying. Wisdom can be hard to spot, but as the second half of the verse points out, foolishness is easy to spot.