The Right Word

Speaking the Truth In Love

1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. (NASB)

This is an excellent verse to commit to memory. Have you ever tried to argue in a whisper? It is equally hard to argue with someone who insists on answering gently. On the other hand, a rising voice and harsh words almost always trigger an angry response. To turn away wrath and seek peace, choose gentle words.

2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly. (NASB)

It is very difficult to know:

- when to speak, and when to be silent

- what to speak, and what to leave unspoken

I am sure there have been times when all of us have spoken when there should have been silence. Let wisdom be our teacher.

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Watching the evil and the good. (NASB)

Where can you go to hide from God? There is no such a place.

At times it seems that God has let evil run rampant in the world and we wonder if he even notices it. But God sees everything clearly—both the evil actions and the evil intentions lying behind them. God is not standing idly by – He is not an indifferent observer. He cares and is active in our world. Right now, His work may be unseen and unfelt – but don't give up. One day He will wipe out evil and punish the evildoers. He will establish the good and reward those who do His will.

4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit. (NASB)

The words we say can bring healing or hurt. Our words can bring life to a soul or crush a person. Words have a great influence – let us be very careful how we use our words.

5 A fool rejects his father's discipline, But he who regards reproof is sensible. (NASB)

Let us listen to the instructions of those who are over us. Regard the words spoken to you. If correction needs to be made – don’t ignore it. That would be foolish.

6 Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, But trouble is in the income of the wicked. (NASB)

The righteous will have wealth – but it may or may not be material. To have peace of mind and a clean heart is a great thing. To be able to look at oneself in the mirror and have no shame is great wealth indeed. But I hope and pray that the wicked will have no rest.

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, But the hearts of fools are not so. (NASB)

Those who have wisdom – share it. Thus wisdom and knowledge is spread.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight. (NASB)

To come before the Lord with a crooked and perverse heart is not a good thing. It is an abomination to the Lord. Before you worship make sure your heart is pure.

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves one who pursues righteousness. (NASB)

Note that the verse says that God loves those who “pursues righteousness”. This is a life long journey. Be inconstant pursuit of it. Seek for it. Hunt for it. It is a prey not easily caught.

10 Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way; He who hates reproof will die. (NASB)

Don’t give up on the pursuit of righteousness. The warnings are clear. Punishment and death are for the unrighteous.

11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord, How much more the hearts of men! (NASB)

The abodes of destruction lie open before the Lord. He sees it all. Do you not think that He can see into the hearts of men – no matter how dark their hearts may be?

12 A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, He will not go to the wise. (NASB)

None of us like reproof – but at times perhaps it is needed. Approach any correction with humility. Listen and if correction is needed – heed.

13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken. (NASB)

When there is joy in the heart there should be a smile on the face. But when the heart is sad – it affects the spirit.

14 The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly. (NASB)

What we feed our minds is just as important as what we feed our bodies. The kinds of books we read, the people we talk with, the music we listen to, and the films we watch are all part of our mental diet. Be discerning because what you feed your mind influences your total health and well-being. Thus, a strong desire to discover knowledge is a mark of wisdom.

15 All the days of the afflicted are bad, But a cheerful heart has a continual feast. (NASB)

Our attitudes color our whole personality. We cannot always choose what happens to us, but we can choose our attitude toward each situation. The secret to a happy heart is filling our mind with thoughts that are true, pure, and lovely, with thoughts that dwell on the good things in life (Php_4:8). This was Paul's secret as he faced imprisonment, and it can be ours as we face the struggles of daily living. Look at your attitudes and then examine what you allow to enter your mind and what you choose to dwell on.

16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord Than great treasure and turmoil with it. (NASB)

They who have the Kingdom of God – though they have little of this world – have much. It is better to know God and follow Him than having a lot in this world – for there is no peace of mind and heart without God.

17 Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served with hatred. (NASB)

To have the company of love is always better than the company of hatred. Rich surroundings mean nothing where hatred rules.

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute. (NASB)

Listen before you speak. There may be an appropriate time for anger – but more often than not most of us don’t find it. The Bible tell us:

“Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” (NASB)

19 The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is a highway. (NASB)

The "path of the upright" may not always seem easy – but look at the alternatives. Who would want to travel down the middle of a hedge of thorn bushes? It is said that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line (may be good in math) – but if there is a hedge of thorns in the way – it is better to travel around it.

20 A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother. (NASB)

Parents ought to care about their children and when a child is wise it is pleasing to the parents. However when child is a fool he/she cares less about how they affect their own parents.

21 Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, But a man of understanding walks straight. (NASB)

A foolish life is a life for the fool. But those who have wisdom and understanding walk a straight path.

22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed. (NASB)

When you come to a cross road in life – it is good to get advice. People with tunnel vision—those who are locked into one way of thinking—are likely to miss the right road because they have closed their minds to any new options. We need the help of those who can enlarge our vision and broaden our perspective. Seek out the advice of those who know you and have a wealth of experience. Build a network of advisers. Then be open to new ideas, and be willing to weigh their suggestions carefully. Your plans will be stronger and more likely to succeed.

23 A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word! (NASB)

A word of wisdom at the right time is a jewel.

24 The path of life leads upward for the wise That he may keep away from Sheol below. (NASB)

Clarke says of this verse:

The way of life is above to the wise - There is a treble antithesis here:

1. The way of the wise, and that of the fool.

2. The one is above, the other below.

3. The one is of life, the other is of death.

25 The Lord will tear down the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow. (NASB)

Construction or destruction are the options. Pride destroys.

The Message Bible reads:

“God smashes the pretensions of the arrogant; he stands with those who have no standing.” (MSG)

26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord, But pleasant words are pure. (NASB)

God hates evil and when you are planning that path – it is an abomination to the Lord. From our heart come our words – so pure thoughts produce pleasant words.

27 He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live. (NASB)

Dishonesty in life profits no one.

28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. (NASB)

One mouth pours the other ponders. Here is advice to think before you speak.

29 The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous. (NASB)

I like to know that the Lord is near – that He hears my prayers. This is not so for the wicked.

30 Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones. (NASB)

Jesus said:

"The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness.” (NASB)

The “good news” not only sustains us – it “puts fat on the bones”.

31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise. (NASB)

None of us like criticism – but if it is true it is words to live by.

32 He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding. (NASB)

If we don’t learn from discipline we are only being destructive to ourselves. Listen and heed.

33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility. (NASB)

Here again we find “The fear of the Lord”. It is instruction for wisdom. Humility leads to honor – therefore seek humility above honor and honor may be found. But don’t make honor the goal.