Tension at the table

Right around the corner is coming one of my favorite holidays. Thanksgiving. It was not always one of my favorite holidays depending on who hosted and who was invited.

The dinner table can be a place of good and bad tension. If we navigate the people and topics discussed well it can be a great blessing to all that sit around it. If we don’t navigate them well world war three could break out.

Proverbs 9:1–12 NIV

1 Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars. 2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city, 4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says, 5 “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.” 7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. 8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you. 9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11 For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

Psychology three types of ppl and bible uses these terminology to describe them.

The Wise, The Fool, and The Evil.

Wise ppl: when they hear truth they readjust themselves to the input given.

Proverbs 9:8 NIV

8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.

rebuke the wise and they will love you

Psychological terms:

Assimilation - Lets the truth in,

Accommodation - Make room for the truth and makes changes.

Wise does not mean the smartest person at the table or high IQ.

When a wise person receives truth they thank you for it.

The fool may be the smartest person at the table.

A fool hears truth rejects it and assumes there is something wrong with it.

Proverbs 18:2 NIV

2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.

Proverbs 1:7 NIV

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 9:7 NIV

7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.

Proverbs 9:8 NLT

8 So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you.

Don’t waste your time correcting the fool.

There has to be a consequence or ultimatum.

Fools are not looking to hurt ppl necessarily.

Evil ppl are looking to hurt others.

Proverbs 9:9–12 NIV

9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11 For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.