Choosing Gentle Wisdom in My Words (Proverbs 15)

Evening Scripture

Proverbs 15
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

The house of the righteous contains great treasure,
but the income of the wicked brings ruin.

The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the hearts of fools are not upright.

The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.

Death and Destruction lie open before the Lord—
how much more do human hearts!

Mockers resent correction,
so they avoid the wise.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.

The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.

Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.

A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.

The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a highway.

A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.

Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,
but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.

A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—
and how good is a timely word!

The path of life leads upward for the prudent
to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.

The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but gracious words are pure in his sight.

The greedy bring ruin to their households,
but the one who hates bribes will live.

The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.

Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.

Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,
but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.

Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,
and humility comes before honor.

A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

The house of the righteous contains great treasure,
but the income of the wicked brings ruin.

The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the hearts of fools are not upright.

The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.

Death and Destruction lie open before the Lord—
how much more do human hearts!

Mockers resent correction,
so they avoid the wise.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.

The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.

Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.

A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.

The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a highway.

A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.

Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,
but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.

A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—
and how good is a timely word!

The path of life leads upward for the prudent
to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.

The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but gracious words are pure in his sight.

The greedy bring ruin to their households,
but the one who hates bribes will live.

The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.

Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.

Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,
but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.

Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,
and humility comes before honor.

Evening Reflection

Proverbs 15 opens with words of wisdom we all know are true, then guides us in shaping our words and attitudes as we walk through life. As we lay our heads down, let us look back on today and reflect on any quarrels that came our way. Consider how it might have been different and whether it was necessary. Often, in hindsight, we realize that our own words contributed to the dispute, maybe even triggered it.

We all realize it’s true that gentle wisdom in our words will come across to others so much more easily. Harsh sarcasm or criticism accomplishes little, but gentle, wise words sit well with others. Regardless of our temptations or the attitudes of others, consider that “a soothing tongue is a tree of life.” When your words offer kindness and wisdom, it averts any wicked response. Words can be powerful things – they can build up, torment, and crush. We will never need to apologize for harsh words that go unspoken.

Recently, I heard someone say that a Christian can be the worst advertisement for the very thing we believe in and our hearts are set on. Let us remember that we represent our Lord, and what people see in us and hear from us can reflect on their desire to come to Christ Jesus. Let us speak in a way that people see him – and we can then speak to them about Jesus.

As we reflect tonight on Solomon’s words in Proverbs 15, let us pray that the Lord will help us set aside our pride, to step out of the way and allow His Holy Spirit to work in us - guarding our hearts and tongues, choosing gentle wisdom in our words.

Evening Prayer

Heavenly Father,
I know that on my own, I cannot live the way you want me to live. With your help, I know I can. Please help me to step aside and allow your Holy Spirit to work in me and through me. Please help me become the person you created me to be. Help me to live my life full of love, compassion, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and humility. Help me to change the way I think and feel, the way I act, and the way I speak. When I feel tempted to respond with callousness or cruelty, please put a guard over my mouth.
Amen.

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