31 Days of Wisdom: Proverbs 17

Please visit the link below if you would like to read through Proverbs 17 before continuing.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2017&version=NIV

Disclaimer: This is a personal journey of discovery for me. I am not claiming any special wisdom or exposition of my own, only sharing how 31 days of wisdom affect me and stir my spirit. I highly suggest, no matter who is speaking or sharing, that you check their words against the words of Scripture.

Proverbs 17

It’s better to have barely anything to eat with peace and quiet than to have more than you need with strife. (v1)

A servant who is wise will gain the favor of the father over a foolish son, and share in the inheritance as if he is family. (v2)

The Lord tests our hearts as heat is used to test gold and silver. (v3)

“A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.” A discerning person would know better and would be able to identify the lie and would ignore the destructive tongue. (v4)

“Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.” It is not ok to make fun of someone’s situation; who knows what the Lord may be doing or how His heart may be grieved. Gloating over disaster brings punishment, in some way, shape or form. We are to be tender hearted and full of compassion. (v5)

Grandchildren are a blessing and children take pride in their parents. (v6)

Smooth talking doesn’t seem to fit a godless fool and lying lips on a ruler are just disaster waiting to happen. (v7)

People who bribe others to get their way think it’s some sort of magic; they think they can buy success no matter where they go. (v8)

We can make things right by building up love and focusing on the good things. We can cover over mistakes. We can give grace. But, if we choose to repeat the wrongs, relationships are destroyed and may never be recovered. (v9)

You don’t have to actually inflict physical pain on a discerning person for them to learn a lesson, a rebuke is enough. It’s not so for the fool. (v10)

“Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them.” (v11)

It’s better to meet an angry mother bear who has lost her cubs than to run into a fool who has his heart set on doing something foolish. (v12)

If you seek revenge or cause problems for those who are good to you, you will always be pursued by evil. (v13)

“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” Don’t pick fights, you may not be able to reclaim or hold back what
you’ve started. Nip it in the bud. (v14)

The Lord detests injustice. (v15)

Fools can’t understand wisdom, so why would they spend any amount of money to find it? (v16)

“A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” (v17)

Don’t put your name on the line for someone else. (v18)

“Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invited destruction.” There are people who really love to fight, they rejoice in seeing people and relationships torn apart. These people love fighting because they love sin. (v19)

“One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.” (v20)

“To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.” (v21)

When we are happy, it’s good for our bodies; when our spirits are crushed, it’s reflected in our poor health. (v22)

The wicked meet in back alleys and dark corners to swap bribes for favors and keep justice from being done. (v23)

“A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.”(v24)

“A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.” (v25)

Imposing a harsh punishment on the innocent and honest is not good. (v26)

“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” The wise person only speaks when necessary and is even-tempered. If a fool can keep quiet, they can appear wise. (v27-28)

Dear Father of Wisdom,
I want to be a blessing to my parents, not one who grieves. I don’t want to be like the fool or the godless. Teach me to hold my tongue. Remind me of Your wisdom before I speak and help me stay silent if my words are not helpful or wise. Amen.

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