Category Archives: Proverbs

Reading:
Proverbs 20:11-20

In the last few weeks, I suppose a lot of people have come to wish they had a stash of gold and jewels instead of the devalued or useless paper assets they hold.

Without question, gold and precious stones are of great value. Why, I don’t exactly understand. But that’s the way it is.

What about my lips?

Or to frame the question differently, what about my words?

And the thoughts and knowledge and attitudes behind those words?

“There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel” (15).

Sure, gold and rubies are precious jewels in their own right.

But lips of knowledge? Now there’s another category of precious jewel!

(By the way, my Spanish Bible uses “prudent lips” in place of the KJV’s “lips of knowledge.”)

[Every purpose is established by counsel (Proverbs 20:18)]
from Proverbs 20:18

A little bit more from Proverbs 20: So Ask for Them!

Reading:
Proverbs 20:1-10

Why do people fight, argue, clash, contend, or not get along?

Sometimes it’s to “protect their honor.”

I can identify with that.

So what about this “wild idea”?

“It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling” (3).

Cease from strife?

Just how is that done?!

I suppose it begins with a series of decisions, some of which may need to be made over and over.

  • I must decide to resist a contentious spirit within me.
  • I must decide to value genuine peace.
  • I must decide to put God’s honor above my own.
  • I must decide to forgive.

I’m sure there are more, but that’s good as a beginning.

Now, here are four more verses that pertain.

“The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with” (Proverbs 17:14).

“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression” (Proverbs 19:11).

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).

What is in me?

Who is in me?

[Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? (Proverbs 20:6)]
from Proverbs 20:6

A little bit more from Proverbs 20: Bless Your Children