The Power of Wisdom Proverbs 15:1-33
1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. 3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good. 4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. 5 A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent. 6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble. 7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves him who follows righteousness. 10 Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die. 11 Hell and Destruction are before the LORD; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men. 12 A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise. 13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast. 16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure with trouble. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.19 The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway. 20 A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother. 21 Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly. 22 Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established. 23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is! 24 The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below. 25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow. 26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, But the words of the pure are pleasant. 27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live. 28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil. 29 The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy. 31 The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise. 32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding. 33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.
Verse 1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
Soft or gentle answers will bring an atmosphere of calmness. Example: If I’m yelled at, my tendency is to yell back. Emotions and blood pressures elevate or decrease depending on the climate set.
We are Spiritual fruitful people; therefore we should be Spiritual climate changers.
Scriptural example in Judges 8:1-3 Gideon Subdues the Midianites 1. Now the men of Ephraim said to him, “Why have you done this to us by not calling us when you went to fight with the Midianites?” And they reprimanded him sharply. 2 So he said to them, “What have I done now in comparison with you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer? 3 God has delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. And what was I able to do in comparison with you?” Then their anger toward him subsided when he said that.
Proverbs 15: 2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
The tongue of the wise speaks in the proper time, while fools are eager to blurt out their folly.
Proverbs 15: 3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
This refers to God’s omniscience. (God keeps watch.)
Psalm 33:13-15 The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. 14 From the place of His dwelling He looks On all the inhabitants of the earth; 15 He fashions their hearts individually;He considers all their works.
Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
The tree of life used here, is used as a metaphor referring to the temporal and spiritual renewal and refreshment. A wholesome tongue brings life, while a perverse tongue destroys.
Proverbs 15:5 A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.
Wisdom is gained when learning from correction. A foolish person walks away from correction. (Won’t listen.)
Proverbs 15:6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.
God blesses the Godly with wealth; moreover the wicked can gain wealth; however, their wealth will bring them trouble because their motives will be wrong.
Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.
Proverbs 15:7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.
The fools heart and ways are far removed from wisdom. They might aqure money, but their advice will be wicked.
Proverbs 15: 8-9 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves him who follows righteousness.
External acts of worship are wicked, and repulsive to God when the heart of the worshiper is wicked.
I Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”
Psalm 34:12-15 Who is the man who desires life,And love, many days, that he may see good?13 Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil and do good;Seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous. And His ears are open to their cry.
Proverbs 15:10-11 Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die. 11 Hell and Destruction are before the LORD; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.
If God sees the wicked, how much more does He take note of His righteous!
Proverbs 15:12 A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise.
This person is bent on going the wrong way. Example: A person in and out of prison.
Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
What people feel affects how they present themselves.
Proverbs 15:14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
Whether ‘one‘ seeks knowledge or trash reveals whether we are on the path of wisdom or folly.
Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
The joyous, inward condition of the wise man’s heart is described as a perpetual feast. Real happiness is always determined by the state of the heart.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 Though the fig tree may not blossom,Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Proverbs 15:16-18 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure with trouble. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
A person with a “hothead” is contrasted with “peacemakers.”
Listen to James 1:19-20 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Proverbs 15:19 The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway.
Example: Have you ever watch the animal called the sloth. Laziness gets in the way of production.
Proverbs 15:20 A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.
Maybe he despises his mother because that would be the closes person to the father.
Proverbs 15:21 Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
The godly man walks with understanding, he flows in discernment. The ungodly, never think about traits of righteousness that would bring understanding.
Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
One person can’t think of all the angles of a problem; a wise person invites advice from many advisers.
Proverbs 15:23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
Proverbs 4: 20-23 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
Proverbs 15:24 The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.
A wise person avoids death by choosing the path of life.
Proverbs 15:25-26 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow. 26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, But the words of the pure are pleasant.
A widow will be protected from the proud of heart. The wicked (or proud of heart) are an abomination, while those who are pure in heart please God.
Matthew 5 1-9 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn,For they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
Proverbs 15:27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.
A greedy persons thoughts are wrong.
Isa 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
Proverbs 15:28-29 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil. 29 The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 15:30-31 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy. 31 The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.
Whatever is good, sound truth and wisdom stirs the heart by relieving anxiety.
Proverbs 15: 32-33 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding. 33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.
