Elsewhere in Proverbs it says that the prudent give thought to their ways…and taking a moment to meditate before speaking is probably the most telling distinction between a righteous and unrighteous person. For you’ll find that the mouth is the external manifestation of a man’s inner character and integrity.
Tag: proverbs
Proverbs 14:33 ” Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known.”
We tend to perceive things through our senses…but they aren’t always correct or reliable. But intelligent insight and sound judgment are far superior to charged up emotions or senses any day. And to think about it… even a fool can gain wisdom and discretion…by simply keeping his mouth shut!
Proverbs 22:6 ” Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
As Job mused in Chapter 12:12, “Is not wisdom found among the aged?” Sometimes it will take until a child has matured to adulthood that they finally grasp all the Godly instruction they’ve received at home. From early on, we try to impress on our children the importance of living a life for Jesus…but many times it seems like it falls on deaf ears. But don’t give up, for this is a scripture with a promise for all parents. Keep pouring good into your children…and good will come out.
Proverbs 25:28 ” Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. “
When a city has no defenses…the enemy can come in – invading and conquering without opposition. When we allow our inner self to act out without restraint…the enemy comes in also. He comes in to overpower our dignity and flaunt our volatility. He holds captive our discretion and boasts of our instability.
Proverbs 29:11 ” A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.”
Any blockhead can work themselves up into a frenzy of rage and anger when things don’t go their way. But it takes real Herculean restraint to remain in control of your emotions when things get heated around you. What spills out when you’re jostled by someone else’s anger or when you don’t get your way? Violent fury or restraint?
Proverbs 21: 23 ” He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.”
You may know someone…it might even be yourself that’s developed this fateful disease know as Foot in Mouth. Some people are so affected, that the only time their foot comes out of their mouth – is to change socks! It takes wisdom and discipline not to just blurt out anything that comes to mind. It takes us thinking before we speak…is this appropriate?…is this kind?…will I regret saying this tomorrow? So much trouble and misery could be avoided if we’d just learn to think before we opened our mouth.
Proverbs 16:33 ” The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”
We may think that all things happen by chance, and that fate or destiny are the authors of our life story. But this scripture says quite the opposite. It’s not just luck or happenstance that governs our lives and determines our moves…it’s God Himself making those judgment calls…and luck has nothing to do with it.
Proverbs 3:7 ” Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.”
We think that we’re far too intelligent to fall for the schemes of the devil…or that we’re too clever to be pulled into a compromising situation. We blithely go so far as to dabble in the gray areas of sin, thinking we have the good judgment to stop any time we want. Being too wise in our own eyes can show just how foolish we really are.
Proverbs 13:12 ” Hope deferred makes the heart sick…”
I heard a term used this week that really resonated in my soul, both in my long career as a Nurse, and personally. The term was anticipatory grief. I’ve seen this in couples where one of the spouse was dying of cancer. I’ve seen it in Alzheimer Units I’ve managed when the patient can no longer recognize their loved ones and the ravages of the disease process are quickly taking everything else. I experienced it myself that day the Cardiologist told my husband to go home and put his affairs in order. Anticipatory grief is waiting for the other shoe to fall…it’s attempting to prepare for the unknown, not knowing what that is, or what it will even look like. Anticipatory grief will make you hit the Pause button…everything stops…everything is on hold. For a time there is no future…there is no hope…you go into combat mode just to survive. But we can’t stay in combat mode forever…the stress is too overwhelming. We are creatures that need hope to survive…what ever the face of hope is. ” One day at a time” , isn’t just a saying…it’s way to manage anticipatory grief, and the future, whatever it will be.
Proverbs 30: 7-8 ” Two things I ask of You, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.”
Lord, I ask for just enough. Provide me with a sufficient amount that I will be content, and always grateful. Father, don’t give me too much, or I’ll hoard or squander and waste what you’ve given me. But neither do I want to be left hungry and lacking, for then I may dishonor Your name. Yes Lord, give me just enough for today and I will trust You for tomorrow.
Safetypinlove 