Proverbs – Day 15
Scripture: Proverbs 15
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
The house of the righteous contains great treasure,
but the income of the wicked brings ruin.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the hearts of fools are not upright.
The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.
Death and Destruction lie open before the Lord—
how much more do human hearts!
Mockers resent correction,
so they avoid the wise.
A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.
The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.
Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.
A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a highway.
A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,
but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.
A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—
and how good is a timely word!
The path of life leads upward for the prudent
to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.
The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but gracious words are pure in his sight.
The greedy bring ruin to their households,
but the one who hates bribes will live.
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.
Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.
Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,
but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,
and humility comes before honor.
Devotional:
In chapter 10, we examined the power of words to create and destroy as well as the importance of choosing them carefully. More recently, we looked at giving and receiving rebuke and developing patience. In chapter 15, we see the intersection of these areas as we learn about the effects of gentle words.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (v 1). Gentle words – those that are both chosen for their gentle nature and spoken in a gentle way – have the power to cool a heated argument. You basically have two choices when someone comes to you in anger: escalate or reduce the intensity of the situation. The next time someone confronts you in anger, try to “turn away their wrath” by saying, “I can see you’re angry with me and I’d like to better understand why. When you’re ready to talk calmly, I’ll be ready.” You may be surprised at the other person’s reaction as you throw a bucket of cool, gentle words on their hot argument.
Gentle words can also restore spiritual and emotional life. We all know times when a friend spoke words of encouragement while we were hurting or down. Often we feel immediately uplifted and refreshed, even if only for a time. “The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit” (v 4). “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Prov 16:24) and can “bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” (Prov 3:8). If you know someone who could use a gentle word today, don’t delay in providing it! “A man finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word!” (v 23). Your words could mean the difference between someone remaining alone, hungry for encouragement or being nourished by your words and fellowship.
Key Verses:
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. A man finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word!” ~ Proverbs 15:1,23
Questions:
- How have you been nourished by someone’s words recently?
- Do you have an opportunity today to “bring life” to someone else today with encouraging words?
