Proverbs 12:16

[Faithful83]

I felt God was asking me to read in the book of Proverbs, and I ran across Prov. 12:16 and it seems to be describing me quite well.

A fool shows his annoyance at once,
but a prudent man overlooks an insult

I'll type that again with my response in parentheses.

A fool (I'm not always one to use a whole lot of common sense) shows his annoyance at once (yep, that's me, if something annoys me, look out!),
but a prudent man overlooks an insult (not a trait I really have)

Since this seemed to hit home with me, I wondered if anyone could share what does this verse mean to you?

 

[muffler dragon]

I find it to be something better grasped as I age.

I am by no means antiquated, but I understand some things that my father use to comment to me on when I was in high school and college. I was 'on fire' and wanted to convict the world about all the wrongs. I had all the answers and didn't want to hear otherwise.

I am married now, have a two-year-old, and I have finally realized that I am not the brightest man to walk the earth. I don't have all the answers. I don't need to convict everyone of everything they are wrong about. I have become much sturdier in my beliefs, but I also know that each person has their own and they covet them much. I also understand that friendship is a much better tactic to understanding and discussing issues with a person.

I hope that gives you an idea as to what the verse has come to mean to me.

m.d.

 

[daveleau]

A person who follows Jesus' example and the desires of God do not anger when someone does something against them that is of little significance. Insulting our pride, theft, cutting us off in traffic, leaving us out when giving praise we are due, degrading something we hold in high regard (non-religious idea), etc are all instances that we should not get angry about. We should let these slide off of us and not be angered by them. For instance in debates regarding politics or secondary theological details (not Salvation, but for instance the translation of Bible we use or the creation theology that we hold), we shoudl not argue or talk down to people. We should treat everyone with love and respect. We should tell them if they are wrong and point to Scripture as to why they are wrong. But we should not be angry if they lash out at us or if they do not heed the Scripture that we point out to them.

This is how I application the verse. Regarding meaning, well that is a whole different issue and my thoughts can be read regarding the meaning(s) of Scripture in the "what is..." thread in the hermeneutics and bibliology forum.

God bless you,
Dave

 

[pimorton]

A fool - one lacking intellectual, emotional, or spiritual maturity - shows his annoyance -objection to something - at once - immediately without contemplating the consequences or the importance of the matter of annoyance.
But a prudent man - one who is wise, giving proper consideration before acting, and only acting in proportion to the offense and consideration of all the consequences - ignores an insult - a negative expression of opinion, frequently without substantial proof.

 

[Mini]

When I was a child I lost my temper with another girl and shouted at her in public. The headmaster of the school showed me this passage, and ever since I have walked away whenever someone upset me.

About 18 months ago I ran into a problem with the parish assistant. I complained to the vicar since it was regarding child safety. The vicar was very slow to act. Never spoke to the woman about my accusations just told me she wouldn't do what I had seen her do. I was also told I should have spoken to the person concerned. Unfortunately I get very cross when people endanger the lives of my kids. So I waited until I had cooled down before I invited the woman over to chat about it. She refused to come. The vicar told my husband that my behaviour is bizaar. That he has never come across anyone that behaves in that fashion, that I needed professional help. Yet I learned my behaviour from the bible. I think it is a good way to react. I never insult someone out of anger, I can talk rationally about anything without degrading or insulting the person I am talking to.

Long and the short. I refuse to change my behaviour. I think it is excellent advice.

Mini

 

[Paddy the Irishman]

A fool shows his annoyance at once,
but a prudent man overlooks an insult

I agree with pimorton

 

[Mini]

Very True,

But how many times should we turn the other cheek.

Matthew 18 15-17 says when someone does you wrong you should quietly sort it out, only going public when necessary.

Some insults you can allow to stand others you cannot.

 

[Ainesis]

One thing that comes to mind for me in this are the verses that say the fool has said in his heart there is no God. We know that Scripture says our lives are hid in Christ Jesus.

To me this means that in Christ we get our identity, find out who we are and why we were created. We are anchored and accepted in the beloved. We have our identity.

So, the fool (because he denies the existence of God in his life and has no identity), is easily provoked. Contrary words, criticism, unpleasant circumstances all cause him to react in annoyance because this world is all he has. He is seeking worldly approval and definition to make something of himself, so dispproval from the world frustrates him.

However, those who are prudent or wise know God. Therefore, they are not easily swayed by circumstances in the world because they know it is temporal. They know who they really are as opposed to what the world says they are.

One thing God showed me is that it makes no sense being offended in others. If someone says or does something that offends me, I should consider whether there is any truth in it. If there is truth in what offends me, then I need to get over the offense and yield to the Truth of what is being said. If there is no truth in the offense, then why worry about a lie?

Knowing who I am in God and who He is changing me to become helps me to see the truth about myself when it may not be easy and to completely ignore the accusations that are unfounded.

 

[pimorton]

One thing that comes to mind for me in this are the verses that say the fool has said in his heart there is no God. We know that Scripture says our lives are hid in Christ Jesus.

To me this means that in Christ we get our identity, find out who we are and why we were created. We are anchored and accepted in the beloved. We have our identity.

To me this scripture means my life is so enveloped in Christ that people don't see it; they see only Christ. When we operate in this mode we will not respond in anger or in any inappropriate way, because it is no long I that live, but Christ who lives in me.

 

[Ainesis]

To me this scripture means my life is so enveloped in Christ that people don't see it; they see only Christ.

That is a GREAT point. Thank You!