Listen, Understand, Grow Up!

In chapter 19 of Proverbs, much warning is given toward issues such as false witness, against anger. It is always easy to focus on the “shouldn’ts”, and let’s be honest, we need them. Though I never personally calculated this, I am told approximately 70% of the bible is corrective in nature. I have recently been picking up on these corrections in Proverbs, the warnings and admonishments, and I also try to regularly encourage people to focus on the things we SHOULD be doing. If we did them more, we would have so much less time and energy to do the “old self” things; in fact, they would eventually drop off the radar, as we could fill our time with those positive activities and mindsets.

For instance, in this chapter, look at some of the positive actions we can just as easily pursue. “Get wisdom”, “discretion”, “Slow to anger”, “overlook a transgression”. If we could just put these together, we would wisely and discretely be slow to anger while we overlook transgressions of those around us. Sounds easy, huh? OK, let’s get right on that. And that’s only one little area.

I also spent some time looking into this notion of a prudent wife. Prudent, I can’t say I have ever called my wife that. However, a wife who is wise in living, one who is viewed as a valued asset to a family (“asset” in the realm of adding significant value), is indeed a tremendous blessing from the Lord. And I certainly consider myself blessed.

Some other positives that God tells us to do or be likewise: “gracious”, “listen to counsel”, “kindness”. Building on previous days’ readings (being encouraging, guarding the tongue) we could all do with a little more kindness and grace toward each other, to our families, to our kids and co-workers. These days, people really don’t want advice, because they don’t like what they hear. That is unfortunate, as we can find the counsel we all need, if we would only open ourselves to it. It is much easier to simply stay living in our current frustration that to take steps to improve, thus the human condition, and thus the need for reliance upon the Spirit’s work in our lives. Here’s a vote for heeding that Spirit’s advice.

After all, one can only reprove or help a person who truly wants and seeks understanding and wisdom. What a great goal to “sleep satisfied”, which comes from that healthy fear of the Lord we have all read about. That fear and our seeking understanding are so closely related.

Never, never, never stop listening. To do so would be to stray away from knowledge. Sadly, many have so strayed.

Quickly, jump to James 5, the last verse. Just as Proverbs 19 stated about overlooking a transgression, so James speaks on “turning a sinner from the error of his way.” When done in love and proper context, this is a powerful tool in the hands of a believer. It takes one to graciously offer correction, and also one to graciously accept that. That, my friends, is a tough balance. Ephesians 4:15 tells us to grow up. That is great advice, and that is the “SO WHAT” for today.