Read Proverbs 15
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
but the income of the wicked brings ruin.
but the hearts of fools are not upright.
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
the one who hates correction will die.
how much more do human hearts!
so they avoid the wise.
but heartache crushes the spirit.
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
than great wealth with turmoil.
than a fattened calf with hatred.
but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
but the path of the upright is a highway.
but a foolish man despises his mother.
but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
but with many advisers they succeed.
and how good is a timely word!
to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.
but gracious words are pure in his sight.
but the one who hates bribes will live.
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
and good news gives health to the bones.
will be at home among the wise.
but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.
and humility comes before honor.
Go Deeper
We live in a sound-bite world. We admire and desire to be like the wise sage who, with a few words, can enrage or encourage. The one with the sharpest, smartest, repeatable, and re-postable words wins. So we think. We understand the power of words.
The writer of Proverbs 15 understood the power of words, too. Look at the ideas, counsel, and caution we’re presented in this passage:
A soft answer turns away wrath
A harsh word stirs up anger
The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive
The mouth of fools pour out folly
A tongue that heals is a tree of life
A devious tongue breaks the spirit
Lips of the wise spread knowledge
Mouth of the wicked pours out evil things
The prayer of the upright is a delight to God
A word in season is good
Gracious words are pure and pleasant
A righteous person thinks before answering
We all want to be wise. We like to think we are wise (and with the help of the Spirit, we are at times). None of us like to consider ourselves foolish or evil; yet, when we think of pain we’ve caused others, problems we’ve created, or predicaments we’ve manipulated, almost always the power of our words plays a big part.
We need wisdom not only in what we say (the words we use), but how we say them and when we say them. We can learn from verse one an important distinction when using our words. The verse reads, “A gentle answer…”. In order for there to be an answer, it requires a question. Often we give our words without anyone asking for them. When someone comes to us with questions, our response matters. Our words have the power of life and death.
We also need wisdom in what words we receive (the words said to us). We’d be wise to heed verse 32: “Whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.” To be wise, to hear counsel, to listen to correction requires humility and honesty. It is for our good and for our growth that God uses wise people in our lives to correct and encourage us. Let’s be people who use words wisely…both the words we speak and the words we receive.
Questions
- What’s your one takeaway from this chapter?
- Throughout the proverb, there’s a thread woven between words and one’s heart. Read Luke 6:45. What’s the connection?
- What confession or change will you make in using your words?
A Quote
Charles Bridges, a nineteenth century British pastor and theologian, said this about Proverbs 15:
“Pride and passion on both sides strike together like two flints. We indulge in sarcasm as if we would rather lose a friend than miss scoring a point in the argument. All this the world excuses. But the Gospel sets before us our Savior’s example and imbues us with his spirit; so we should be careful not to provoke a chafed or wounded spirit.”
3 responses to “Proverbs 15”
I never noticed that in V1 the “gentle answer” implies a question being asked. Frequently I am prone to be making statements versus answering a question.
Lord I pray that I remember you gave me one mouth and two ears as a reminder to speak less and listen more.
Praise God.
Lots of common sense in this chapter. But sometimes common sense is not so common. In life you have two choices generally speaking, the right path or the not so right path. Most of this chapter the verses gives you a choice. A gentle answer turns away wrath ( right path) or harsh word stirs up anger (not so right path). Life or death this is the choice or paths that is presented in a lot of the Word. Our freedom of choice to make good decisions. God is soo soo good but there are consequences for all actions good or bad.
God thank You for this day and these minutes. BUT GOD being so rich in mercy and grace for which I am so thankful for. Help me with my words, out loud and in my head be in line with Your Word to honor You in thoughts and with what is spoken. God continue to direct my path so that I am glorifying and honoring You with all I do and say in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!
So far Proverbs has lots to say about our words. They truly matter. How often have I spoken carelessly without thought to the weight they carry? I’m challenged to be saturated in the truth of the Word of God so that when I speak they carry life and not death.