Tag: wise

Some Relational Wisdom (Proverbs 25:1-28)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment

Here are some more
    of Solomon’s proverbs.
They were copied by the officials
    of King Hezekiah of Judah.
God is praised
    for being mysterious;
rulers are praised
    for explaining mysteries.
Who can fully understand
    the thoughts of a ruler?
They reach beyond the sky
    and go deep in the earth.

Silver must be purified
before it can be used
    to make something of value.
Evil people must be removed
before anyone can rule
    with justice.

Don’t try to seem important
    in the court of a ruler.
It’s better for the ruler
    to give you a high position
than for you to be embarrassed
    in front of royal officials.
Be sure you are right
    before you sue someone,
or you might lose your case
    and be embarrassed.

When you and someone else
can’t get along,
    don’t gossip about it.
Others will find out,
and your reputation
    will then be ruined.

The right word
    at the right time
is like precious gold
    set in silver.
Listening to good advice
is worth much more
    than jewelry made of gold.
A messenger you can trust
is just as refreshing
    as cool water in summer.
Broken promises
are worse than rain clouds
    that don’t bring rain.
Patience and gentle talk
can convince a ruler
    and overcome any problem.

Eating too much honey
    can make you sick.
Don’t visit friends too often,
or they will get tired of it
    and start hating you.
Telling lies about friends
    is like attacking them
with clubs and swords
    and sharp arrows.
A friend you can’t trust
    in times of trouble
is like having a toothache
    or a sore foot.
Singing to someone
    in deep sorrow
is like pouring vinegar
    in an open cut.

If your enemies are hungry,
    give them something to eat.
And if they are thirsty,
give them something
    to drink.
This will be the same
as piling burning coals
    on their heads.
And the Lord
    will reward you.
As surely as rain blows in
    from the north,
anger is caused
    by cruel words.
It’s better to stay outside
    on the roof of your house
than to live inside
    with a nagging wife.

Good news from far away
refreshes like cold water
    when you are thirsty.
When a good person gives in
    to the wicked,
it’s like dumping garbage
    in a stream of clear water.
Don’t eat too much honey
    or always want praise.
Losing self-control
leaves you as helpless
    as a city without a wall. (Contemporary English Version)

The wise sayings in this chapter of the Book of Proverbs have to do with relational topics such as: relating to a leader; relating to others; and relating to oneself (self-control).

Relating To a Leader

When it comes to relating to any sort of leader above us, it is best to avoid arrogance and embrace humility.

Whether we realize it, or not, or like it, or not, leaders have a perspective that others don’t. They see the big picture of what is happening, and ideally, make wise decisions based upon all the factors and people involved.

This means that we are not always, maybe not even usually, going to understand what a leader or ruler is doing. This is why it is so important for leaders themselves to consult and collaborate with others, and choose wisely.

Humility isn’t only for followers, it is just as much, perhaps even more, necessary for the leader. Making decisions in a vacuum, or just trusting in one’s own counsel, usually doesn’t work out well. Everyone has character flaws, yet a leader’s flaws, weaknesses, and sins can stick out rather easily to others.

That doesn’t mean, however, that anyone has a right to believe they themselves can do a better job, or know more about how to lead, or have all the information. Because they don’t.

The ways of God are mysterious because it is a very big picture that only the Lord sees. And there are a lot of moving parts and people to all of God’s choices and movements in this world.

The important part, for us, is to recognize the goodness and wisdom of God, and to trust that the Lord – as the God of Love – always does what is right, just, and good, even though it may not always seem that way.

Relating To Others

When it comes to how we generally relate to our fellow humanity, we are to show some empathy and deference. The ability to put yourself in another’s shoes is quite important and necessary, in order to relate well to others.

In failing to do this, and only thinking of oneself, we end up overstaying a welcome from someone who was thinking of us; or not paying attention that my morning blessing feels more like a curse to the night owl; or sharing some juicy tidbit of information that isn’t ours to share, so that others listen and pay attention to me.

Today, in this day and age, many persons fail to think of others when they are driving. Far too many people drive as if they own the road, and as if the traffic laws don’t apply to them. If they think of another driver at all, it’s only to curse them for hindering their ability to get to where they want to go.

Relating to Self

In contrast to all of that, we ourselves are to practice self-control and choose to live differently. Instead of cursing, we bless; and rather than selfishness, we practice selflessness.

If we would but all learn to exercise kindness over revenge, our world would be a very different place than it is today. And if we would but choose to speak the truth in love, rather than tell lies in hate or indifference, then there would be a lot less harm and hurt in this old fallen world.

By practicing self-control, we stop the cycle of hate, injustice, and unkindness. But if we choose the path of escalating verbal and/or physical violence, then this only leaves us vulnerable to harm. And it may open a way of having those you care about be harmed, as well.

I myself am the only person I’m in control of. And so I choose to:

  • be honest, trustworthy, and let God provide the judgment and justice needed for others
  • consider others, and think before talking
  • listen to wise counsel, and not entertain the manipulative words of the foolish
  • walk the patient path of wisdom

O God, grant me the wisdom I need in all my relationships. Help me recognize when things may be unsafe. I pray your protection over me and my family when we feel vulnerable. Thank you for having the power to heal broken relationships. Amen.

Have Enough Sense to Learn Some Life Lessons (Proverbs 19:24-29)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment

Some people are too lazy to put food in their own mouths.

Arrogance should be punished, so that people who don’t know any better can learn a lesson. If you are wise, you will learn when you are corrected.

Only a shameful, disgraceful person would mistreat his father or turn his mother away from his home.

My child, when you stop learning, you will soon neglect what you already know.

There is no justice where a witness is determined to hurt someone. Wicked people love the taste of evil.

A conceited fool is sure to get a beating. (Good News Translation)

I believe one good practice is to ponder the biblical proverbs and write them in our own words. So, here is today’s Proverbs lesson in my own colloquial words, with a brief bit of commentary:

There are folks who have gotten so used to laziness that they don’t even use their hands to feed themselves.

It’s important not to enable such persons to be this way by bringing them food and feeding them. It reinforces bad behavior, and will only frustrate you if you give-in to the rationalizations from the lazy person.

Arrogant fools need sense enough to see that foolish stupidity leads to punishable consequences; but a person with good sense learns the humility of being corrected without having to be harshly punished.

Part of what makes a person foolish and arrogant is that they honestly believe they’re an exception to the rules, that they can do what they want and not suffer the consequences. Conversely, the wise person doesn’t always need to learn the hard way. They listen to correction and accept it, thus avoiding adverse consequences from continuing in a particular way.

Kids without any sense at all are a disgrace to their parents; they steal from mom and dad and refuse to care for them in their need.

A parent’s greatest shame is when one of their children ignore what they’ve been taught and use the parents to get what they want. And then when mom and dad have a need, the kid has every excuse in the book to not help them. Unfortunately, there are times when a parent must take action to protect themselves from a wayward child. It isn’t healthy to let your children use you with impunity.

If you have no inclination to learn, you will eventually become as dumb as a brick.

Anyone who doesn’t take the stance of being a life-long learner will end up losing what little knowledge they have. That’s because memory is tied to actionable learning. If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.

A witness who lies brings harm to both the court system and the persons involved; he is just like a criminal who commits crimes and revels in a lie as if it was a delicious meal.

Sadly, there are some people in this old fallen world who take delight in lying, cheating, and stealing. It gives them a twisted feeling of superiority and control to manipulate a person or a system. So, beware of the one who has no conscience.

The only thing an arrogant fool can expect to get in this life (and the next) is punishment.

A fool is a fool because they neither learn a lesson from observing what happens to others, nor learn from their own mistakes, misplaced words, and bad behavior. Although they shouldn’t be surprised whenever they are fired from a job, arrested by the police, or have a spouse leave them, they are; somehow they feel entitled to live as they please and have others accommodate to their life.

The biggest chunk of the Book of Proverbs (chapters 10-22) are wise sayings framed mostly in couplets. The majority of the verses are a contrast between the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad.

The contrasts are meant to demonstrate consequences. If we make decisions and live our lives in a good and right way, then it is likely that we will be successful and have some overall happiness.

However, if we choose to go through life like the fool, then we should expect some rather adverse consequences.

For example, both parents and children need to make some responsible choices in order to live well. Parents are to put a great deal of effort into raising, training, and loving their children so that they can be successful in life. Children are to respond by accepting parental teaching and seeking to live into the wisdom taught to them.

And yet, there are parents who are uncommitted to preparing their children for adulthood. And there are adult children who want nothing to do with anything their parents tell them, believing their mom or dad to be stupid or out of touch. However, sooner or later, they will learn a hard lesson.

A happy family is a beautiful thing; a contentious bunch of relatives always walks away hurt.

Every day is an opportunity to build on a wise foundation of life. The sorts of decisions we make, and why we make them, is of upmost significance for a good, right, and just way of living. And this wisdom, ideally, is to be passed on by both words and actions.

No matter who we are – whether parents or children, community leaders or citizens, managers or employees, neighbors or nations, we are all to grow in maturity by learning to make wise choices in life which bless others, and thus, bless yourself.

We are neither to live arrogantly and selfishly, nor are we to allow bad attitudes and behaviors to exist within our families, communities, and workplaces.

The beginning of wisdom in living a good life is to know God and be a life-long learner of sacred wisdom literature. This is the first and most important choice of all.

All-wise and all-powerful God of the universe, you have given dominion over this earth, in order that we may steward good and right living which allows all life to thrive and flourish. Give us wisdom to use all that you have given, so that no one may suffer from our foolish stupidity, and that the generations yet to come may know that there is a good God in heaven who blesses those who do right and forsake evil. Amen.

Wise Living Is Clean Living (Proverbs 15:1-17)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment

A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.

When wise people speak, they make knowledge attractive, but stupid people spout nonsense.

The Lord sees what happens everywhere; he is watching us, whether we do good or evil.

Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.

It is foolish to ignore what your parents taught you; it is wise to accept their correction.

Righteous people keep their wealth, but the wicked lose theirs when hard times come.

Knowledge is spread by people who are wise, not by fools.

The Lord is pleased when good people pray, but hates the sacrifices that the wicked bring him.

The Lord hates the ways of evil people, but loves those who do what is right.

If you do what is wrong, you will be severely punished; you will die if you do not let yourself be corrected.

Not even the world of the dead can keep the Lord from knowing what is there; how then can we hide our thoughts from God?

Conceited people do not like to be corrected; they never ask for advice from those who are wiser.

When people are happy, they smile, but when they are sad, they look depressed.

Intelligent people want to learn, but stupid people are satisfied with ignorance.

The life of the poor is a constant struggle, but happy people always enjoy life.

Better to be poor and fear the Lord than to be rich and in trouble.

Better to eat vegetables with people you love than to eat the finest meat where there is hate. (Good News Translation)

Here is today’s Proverbs lesson in my own colloquial words:

A calm and kind response sucks the anger out of the room, but hot-headed words set the place on hellfire.

A level-headed person gives helpful answers, but a know-it-all only keeps on babbling nonsense.

Just because you cannot see God, doesn’t mean that God cannot see you, both the good and the bad.

Kind words given to another person are life-giving, but unkind words catapulted at a person ends up crushing their spirit.

You can tell a fool by how their refusal to accept counsel from their parents, but a wise person freely receives parental instruction.

Wise folk understand they need to save for a rainy day, but fools spend everything they have, then wonder why they’re in dire straits.

Wisdom and common sense are akin to one another; foolishness and nonsense are two peas in a pod.

The Lord perks up when the righteous pray, but does a face palm when the wicked offer up anything.

The ways of evil people make the Lord nauseous, but the way of the righteous is delightful to God.

A stupid dog doesn’t live very long, because he won’t heed his training or learn from any natural consequences.

If God can see everything that goes on with death and destruction, why would not the Lord see all things within your own heart?

Prickly people won’t listen to advice, and they refuse to consult anyone when making decisions.

Truthful persons smile when they’re happy and frown when they’re sad, but falsehood smiles when it’s sad and frowns when it’s happy.

Learners are curious about life, but ignorant folk only feed on tabloid information.

Once in survival mode, it’s hard to ever get out of it; but those who thrive have learned how to be content in any circumstance.

It’s a whole lot better to be poor and right with God, than to be rich and on the wrong side of the Lord.

Peanut butter sandwiches eaten on the floor with love are much more delicious than eating a filet mignon with hatred around the table.

Our words reflect what is truly the attitude of our heart. And our attitudes betray what we actually think about God and others.

If you drop a foolish person into a roomful of people, it’s like putting a rotten egg in with the rest of the eggs when making an omelet. Or, to put it according to an old adage, “One bad apple spoils the whole bushel basket of them.”

This is why it’s the responsibility of everyone to develop wisdom and a virtuous life. A faith community, a neighborhood, a workplace, a family, or any group of people are adversely affected whenever there’s one arrogant fool amongst them.

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16, NIV)

It only takes one drop of arsenic to ruin a gallon of water and make it undrinkable. And if you choose to drink it anyway, well, you’ll suffer the consequences.

And this is why purity of heart, righteousness, justice, and goodness are so very important. It’s also why holiness is placed as a premium in Holy Scripture, because impurity ruins the community and defiles any group of people.

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:16-18, NIV)

Wise living is clean living, in every sense of a person’s complete self – in body, mind, emotions, and spirit. The Book of Proverbs can help us with that.

O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us to do, so that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path may not stumble. Amen.

Words of Wisdom (Proverbs 14:1-9)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
Words of Wisdom, by Aengus Boyle

A wise woman builds her house,
    while a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands.
Those who walk with integrity fear the Lord,
    but those who take a crooked path despise him.
Pride sprouts in the mouth of a fool,
    but the lips of the wise protect them.
When there are no oxen, the stall is clean,
    but when there is a strong bull, there is abundant produce.
A truthful witness doesn’t lie,
    but a false witness spews lies.
A mocker searches for wisdom and gets none,
    but knowledge comes quickly to the intelligent.
Stay away from fools,
    for you won’t learn wise speech there.
By their wisdom the prudent understand their way,
    but the stupidity of fools deceives them.
Fools mock a compensation offering,
    but favor is with those who do right. (Common English Bible)

In My Own Colloquial Words

Here is today’s Proverbs lesson in my own words:

A woman who knows what she’s doing carefully crafts a well-ordered and hospitable household; but it only takes one or two foolish decisions to bring the whole enterprise down.

Those who value and practice honesty in everything, do so with the clear understanding that God is always watching, and they want to honor the Lord with every word and action. But those who will do anything to get ahead or get by, don’t care one wit about God.

Whenever a fool talks, it sounds like he has a mouthful of rocks. But a wise person knows better than to try and talk a lot.

If there’s no manure in the barn, there’s no money in the bank. But if you’ve got to keep mucking out the barn, you can be sure there will be plenty of money to live on.

Put an honest and truthful person on the stand, and its honesty and truth you will hear. But put a liar anywhere, and all you’re going to get is a bunch of words you can’t trust.

The guy with the critical and judgmental mouth wouldn’t see wisdom even if it slapped him in the face. But the person who observes and listens takes to wise understanding like a fish to water.

Make it a point to always steer clear of a jabbering fool, because you won’t be able to learn one darned thing from him.

If you take a look at a wise person, you’ll see that they have thought through a good plan and are sticking to it like glue. But if you take even a glance at a darned fool, you can immediately see that they’re only spit-balling through life and have no idea what they’re doing.

You can always tell a stupid person by the way they talk about forgiveness, reconciliation, and restitution as things they would never do. But the person who lives right always finds a way to make things right with others, including God.

In Your Own Practical Words

Use your own favorite version of the Bible and go ahead and write out today’s nine verses in your own words. Don’t think too hard on it, or try and make it just so. And, by the way, it’s not sacrilegious to do that.

A proverb is a short pithy statement of experiential truth. It isn’t an ironclad promise or a decree from God. The wise sayings in the Book of Proverbs are meant to communicate that, all things being equal, there are particular consequences which typically result from certain decisions and actions.

It’s a body of wisdom that is universal, and designed to be instructive in how to go about living your life with some success and happiness to it.

So, it only makes sense to me that we would want to think about each proverb and what it’s communicating by putting it into the sort of language which speaks to us.

In Christ’s Own Words

It can be argued that living wisely is the entire point of all Holy Scripture. After all, in the New Testament Gospels, Jesus appears to have continually talked about, and acted in, wisdom. Here is just one example of Christ talking to the religious leaders of his day:

If you grow a healthy tree, you’ll pick healthy fruit. If you grow a diseased tree, you’ll pick worm-eaten fruit. The fruit tells you about the tree.

You have minds like a snake pit! How do you suppose what you say is worth anything when you are so foul-minded? It’s your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words.

A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard.

Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning.

Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.” (Matthew 12:33-37, MSG)

In Prayer’s Own Words

Almighty God, I humbly ask that You grant me wisdom to make sound choices and decisions. Open my eyes to see Your truth clearly. Give me spiritual discernment to distinguish right from wrong.

Help me not rely solely on my own limited understanding, but trust in Your infinite wisdom to guide my steps. Grant me a heart eager to gain wisdom from Your Word and wise counselors.

Let Your wisdom shape my thoughts, words, and actions each day. Amen.