Proverbs 26 - Speak the Truth to Fools

Proverbs 26 warns us of the downfalls of being a fool, not just a fool, but a lazy fool with deceitful lips. It also warns us to be careful what we trust with the person who is foolhardy. He or she should not be honored for their ways. They should not be lifted up. It would be foolish of us to enable to continue in their ways.

What then should we do with the one who acts foolishly? "Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes." (Prov 26:5 NIV) Speak the truth, not rashly or harshly. But, with love; correct them, guide them, teach them the way in which they should go. Teach them to honor and respect others so that others may live pleasant and peaceful lives and not on edge when they are around. Teach them that it is better for everyone to live in peace than to be constantly starting quarrels about nothing.

There are very few things that bother me more than to hear someone lieing to or insulting another person and then when the person responds in a hurt manner, the first person will say "JK," just kidding.  Jokes that hurt other people are not funny. They are not jokes! "Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”  (Prov 26:18-19)

The wise person will respect others for who they are. They will be kind, not acting out of anger or revenge. But, they will also speak the truth to the one who is acting in a foolish, hurtful manner. Freedom isn't so that we can hurt others, but so that we can live in peace, reconciled to one another. The foolish one does not comprehend this living in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J
 

Proverbs 24 - Too Much Sleep=Poverty

Hunting Island Lighthouse
 

Sayings 20 - 30 and more...


God provides us with many opportunities. He provides opportunities to do good or not to do good. He provides us with opportunities to work and to build up our houses, as well. He provides us with opportunities to build up our lives.

What will we do with these opportunities? 

"A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. "Provers 24:33-34.  

This poverty can be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual.  Most often, I have seen that it can lead to poverty of all of the above. Poverty of any of these, due to sleeping too much, (that would be laziness) can eventually lead to the poverty of all.

There is another thing that I, quite often, hear that people desire and for whatever reason has been eluding them: that is to know what God's will is for them. The Psalms remind us that the word of God is the light which will help us on His way. "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." (Psalm 119:105) Read the Holy Scriptures and you will hear His merciful and graceful word, His will, for you. You will understand the wisdom that He desires for you to hear and live by. "Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." (Prov 20:14)

"But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise," (Eph 5:13-15)

Listen!  And... live life!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Proverbs 10 - A Wise Son Brings Joy

I'm thinking we may have forgotten to teach some of the this parable to the next generations, or maybe the generation before us forgot to teach it to us, or maybe it is as Proverbs 10:8 (NIV) says:  "The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin." Maybe it's not that we weren't taught, but that some simply refuse to listen.

This chapter is full of 2-liners like "Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth." (vs. 4) or "Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. (vs. 17) or "The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing." (vs 28)

It might even be a good thing for a confirmation class to do some digging into the book of Proverbs :) Just a little more memory work... Just kidding... I am hoping, though, that everyone is taking the time to read this Book. It is light enough reading that if you skip a day (which you shouldn't) you can take it in the next.

God's Peace - Pr. J.