I found this chapter of Proverbs to be particularly enriching and I hope and pray that these sayings will become ingrained in our hearts and minds.
1. Let your words be of peace and knowledge (Proverbs 15:1, 2, 4, 7, 23, 26, 28). As peacemakers we should use our words to bring healing to others. In particular, we should lead in meekness and humility, which means that even if we may think we are "right" about something instead of arguing about it we should find a way to answer with meekness for the sake of preserving the peace. As Matthew Henry notes, this is what Gideon did when confronted by the Ephraimites for not bringing them along as part of his war party against the Midianites (Judges 8:1-3). Contrast this later with Jephthah's rough answer to the Ephraimites in a similar type of dispute that resulted in conflict and unnecessary bloodshed (Judges 12:1-3; Henry id). Let us have salt in ourselves.
Our words should also be fitting to the occasion for "[t]o make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!" (Proverbs 15:23 ESV). We need not show all that we know but any wise words provided should be tailored to that particular situation without "fat," that is without any excess that is simply to show off what we know. Also, some counsel is best received at particular times or in private chambers; may we consider our delivery as much as our advice so that those who receive it may say "a word in season, how good it is!" (Proverbs 15:23 ESV).
2. The eyes of the Lord are always watching us (Proverbs 15:3, 11). This is not too make us overly self-conscious but it stands to be remembered that the Lord watches over us, for good and for evil. He alone knows all of the deepest aspects of our thoughts and desires and so we should not think ourselves innocent if we harbor evil within that lays outside of the witness of men for the Lord is our eternal witness. "Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of the children of man!" (Proverbs 15:11 ESV).
3. The righteous are blessed (Proverbs 15:6, 8, 9, 19, 20, 29). The house of the righteous holds treasures (Proverbs 15:6), the prayers of the righteous are well received (Proverbs 15:8, 29) and they are beloved by God (Proverbs 15:9).
4. Heed discipline, why should you die? (Proverbs 15:10, 12, 21, 31, 32, 33). "The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor." (Proverbs 15:33). The fear of the Lord is the beginning and end of wisdom.
5. Be joyful (Proverbs 15:13, 15, 30). This is ironically a hard saying (at least speaking for myself) when in the midst of afflictions. It is difficult to "put on a happy face." I do not believe it is helpful to be inauthentic and fake a good mood but I also don't think it serves God to allow ourselves to remain sunk in the mire. Speaking for myself I try to strive against feelings of sadness and try to make authentic efforts to pull myself out of the mire by smiling (which apparently activates certain chemicals in the brain that change our mood) and being thankful. I have found that these have helped me. That being said, I also pray, and so I pray for good cheer for all of us for "the cheerful of heart has a continual feast." (Proverbs 15:15 ESV).
6. Be content with what you have (Proverbs 15:16, 17, 27). We should be thankful for what we have "for godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6 ESV). We oftentimes cannot control our external environment but we can control our reactions to it and so we should be thankful and praise the Lord for what we do possess, for all are gifts, whether little or much.
7. Seek out a multitude of counselors (Proverbs 15:7, 14, 22, 26, 31, 32, 33). "Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed." (Proverbs 15:22). Our first counselor should be the Holy Spirit but we should look to other sources as well, which can include, amongst others, experts in the field, books on the matter being contemplated, religious advisers and intimate friends. The bigger the decision generally the more counsel and the greater diversity of counsel should be sought. We should also not be like the Son of Solomon, who brought much trouble to himself because he sought the counsel of his peers over the counsel of his elders (Henry id 1 Kings 12). I think a greater lesson can be gathered from this than just that of seeking out the advice of the experienced. We should be careful to hold no prejudice when searching out advice in general, for God is in all and speaks through all and it is ultimately always his advice that we are seeking.
Other proverbs: Life should be a continual education, and we should be selective about what knowledge we expose ourselves to (Proverbs 15:14); Don't lose your temper (Proverbs 15:18); If you don't mind your gardens diligently they will grow thorns and thistles (Proverbs 15:19); Prudence keeps us from death (Proverbs 15:24); The proud will be torn down from their high places (Proverbs 15:25); The consequences of greed will bring fall upon the greedy man's entire household and the generations to come (Proverbs 15:27); Consider carefully before you speak (Proverbs 15:28); Good news cheers the soul (Proverbs 15:30).
*ESV=English Standard Version
1. Let your words be of peace and knowledge (Proverbs 15:1, 2, 4, 7, 23, 26, 28). As peacemakers we should use our words to bring healing to others. In particular, we should lead in meekness and humility, which means that even if we may think we are "right" about something instead of arguing about it we should find a way to answer with meekness for the sake of preserving the peace. As Matthew Henry notes, this is what Gideon did when confronted by the Ephraimites for not bringing them along as part of his war party against the Midianites (Judges 8:1-3). Contrast this later with Jephthah's rough answer to the Ephraimites in a similar type of dispute that resulted in conflict and unnecessary bloodshed (Judges 12:1-3; Henry id). Let us have salt in ourselves.
Our words should also be fitting to the occasion for "[t]o make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!" (Proverbs 15:23 ESV). We need not show all that we know but any wise words provided should be tailored to that particular situation without "fat," that is without any excess that is simply to show off what we know. Also, some counsel is best received at particular times or in private chambers; may we consider our delivery as much as our advice so that those who receive it may say "a word in season, how good it is!" (Proverbs 15:23 ESV).
2. The eyes of the Lord are always watching us (Proverbs 15:3, 11). This is not too make us overly self-conscious but it stands to be remembered that the Lord watches over us, for good and for evil. He alone knows all of the deepest aspects of our thoughts and desires and so we should not think ourselves innocent if we harbor evil within that lays outside of the witness of men for the Lord is our eternal witness. "Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of the children of man!" (Proverbs 15:11 ESV).
3. The righteous are blessed (Proverbs 15:6, 8, 9, 19, 20, 29). The house of the righteous holds treasures (Proverbs 15:6), the prayers of the righteous are well received (Proverbs 15:8, 29) and they are beloved by God (Proverbs 15:9).
4. Heed discipline, why should you die? (Proverbs 15:10, 12, 21, 31, 32, 33). "The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor." (Proverbs 15:33). The fear of the Lord is the beginning and end of wisdom.
5. Be joyful (Proverbs 15:13, 15, 30). This is ironically a hard saying (at least speaking for myself) when in the midst of afflictions. It is difficult to "put on a happy face." I do not believe it is helpful to be inauthentic and fake a good mood but I also don't think it serves God to allow ourselves to remain sunk in the mire. Speaking for myself I try to strive against feelings of sadness and try to make authentic efforts to pull myself out of the mire by smiling (which apparently activates certain chemicals in the brain that change our mood) and being thankful. I have found that these have helped me. That being said, I also pray, and so I pray for good cheer for all of us for "the cheerful of heart has a continual feast." (Proverbs 15:15 ESV).
6. Be content with what you have (Proverbs 15:16, 17, 27). We should be thankful for what we have "for godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6 ESV). We oftentimes cannot control our external environment but we can control our reactions to it and so we should be thankful and praise the Lord for what we do possess, for all are gifts, whether little or much.
7. Seek out a multitude of counselors (Proverbs 15:7, 14, 22, 26, 31, 32, 33). "Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed." (Proverbs 15:22). Our first counselor should be the Holy Spirit but we should look to other sources as well, which can include, amongst others, experts in the field, books on the matter being contemplated, religious advisers and intimate friends. The bigger the decision generally the more counsel and the greater diversity of counsel should be sought. We should also not be like the Son of Solomon, who brought much trouble to himself because he sought the counsel of his peers over the counsel of his elders (Henry id 1 Kings 12). I think a greater lesson can be gathered from this than just that of seeking out the advice of the experienced. We should be careful to hold no prejudice when searching out advice in general, for God is in all and speaks through all and it is ultimately always his advice that we are seeking.
Other proverbs: Life should be a continual education, and we should be selective about what knowledge we expose ourselves to (Proverbs 15:14); Don't lose your temper (Proverbs 15:18); If you don't mind your gardens diligently they will grow thorns and thistles (Proverbs 15:19); Prudence keeps us from death (Proverbs 15:24); The proud will be torn down from their high places (Proverbs 15:25); The consequences of greed will bring fall upon the greedy man's entire household and the generations to come (Proverbs 15:27); Consider carefully before you speak (Proverbs 15:28); Good news cheers the soul (Proverbs 15:30).
*ESV=English Standard Version
