Day 158 – Proverbs 13-15

Talking Points

• We have a continued listing of the contrasting characteristics of the righteous and the evil, the wise and the foolish. These are quick snippets of profound wisdom. We would be wise to consider them deeply!
• Throughout Scripture, it is apparent just how countercultural the ideas of Christianity truly are. The first shall be last; serving others replaces self-promotion; giving is more desirable than receiving; self-sacrifice is valued over self-preservation; the eternal outweighs the present; and hope is not in ourselves, but in God, alone. All of those seem ludicrous to the lost world. Proverbs sums it up like this: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (14:12).
• Controlling our mouths is a decision, a skill, and evidently, a necessity! We are to think before we speak, answer gently, speak truth, be kind, and be pleasant and pure.
• A wise person builds their home to honor God and exist in peace. They put in the necessary ingredients. A foolish person does the things that bring strife and trouble, literally tearing down their own house.
• Our tempers are under our control. They are not to be quick and thoughtless, but patient and considerate.

Thoughts

Part of being a wise person is carefully choosing our friends and those we will walk with through this life. God tells us to walk with “wise men” (13:20). He also tells us to “leave the presence of a fool” (14:7).

When you consider the descriptions of fools that He gives, remembering that He knows “the hearts of men,” it is no wonder He instructs us to avoid them (15:11). God says that foolish people mock sin, speak lies, scoff at rebuke and instruction, are prideful, quick-tempered, and tear their houses down with their own hands.

May our prayers include asking God to help us find wise people to walk with, and asking Him to help us be the wise friend that someone else needs.