Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 15:1

by David Chadwick

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Proverbs 15:1

Have you ever had someone speak an angry word toward you? Maybe a friend? Your spouse? A boss at work? We live in a broken world where self-control is lacking and anger is commonplace.

Angry words can trigger shame, condemnation, and deep pain. It can be very hard to navigate angry words. So how should you respond when someone speaks angrily toward you?

The answer to this question and so many others can be found in the book of Proverbs. This book gives us practical wisdom for everyday life. It provides the answers to confusing questions and the knowledge to handle the difficult things we face.

In Proverbs 15:1, Solomon gave us the best answer for how to handle an angry attack. The answer might shock you! He says that “a soft answer turns away wrath.” When someone speaks an angry word against you, a gentle response without a lot of emotion is sure to confound the angry assailant.

Whereas an angry response only intensifies the anger, gentleness leaves the angry person dumbfounded. A soft response almost sedates the fury coming from the other person.

When you respond to someone's anger toward you with a soft answer, it ratchets down the emotion. It prevents anger from increasing. It gives the angry person a chance to calm down and engage in a civil conversation. That is always the best option to keep a relationship intact.

One of my favorite quotes that I have heard over the years says, “If you fight might with might, it usually leads to trouble.” Anger begets anger. Wrath begets wrath. Kindness begets kindness. After all, you reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7-9).

Sow softness, gentleness, and kindness. Yes, even in the midst of anger. And watch as God works on your behalf.

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 12:22, 6:16-17

by David Chadwick

“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.”

Proverbs 12:22

“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood.”

Proverbs 6:16-17

Can a good and loving God hate anything? Yes! If you have ever spent any time reading the Bible, you know that God can, and does, hate many things! While God is love (1 John 4:8), he still has the capacity to emotionally respond with hatred.

I find great comfort in this side of the Lord because in order for love to truly exist, there must be an abhorrence for everything that hinders love. Things like wickedness (Proverbs 15:8-9), pride (Psalm 5:5), evil deeds (Revelation 2:6), selfish motives (Proverbs 15:26), and those who love violence (Psalm 11:5).

Take some time to read through some of these verses for yourself. As you do, you will see that even the things that God hates reveal his nature and character as a good Father and the embodiment of love. Today, let’s take a deeper look at one more thing that God really hates: lying lips (Proverbs 12:22, Proverbs 6:16-17).

Why does God hate deception? Because God’s word is holy and true (John 17:17). Jesus himself, in John 14:6, said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Because God is truth, there can be no falsehood in him.

The devil, however, works in direct opposition to the truth. From the beginning of time, his native language has been “deception.” He is both a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). Lying lips destroy people created in God’s image. It’s a devious weapon to kill, steal, and destroy.

Do you remember what the devil’s first temptation of Eve was in the garden of Eden? He said in Genesis 3:1, “Did God really say this?” Satan is a master deceiver and has built his entire mission around deception.

May we all act faithfully in our quest after the truth. And may we always bring truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). The world would be so much better if we committed to love what God loves and hate what God hates! After all, it is the truth that sets us free (John 8:32).

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 18:15

by David Chadwick

“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”

Proverbs 18:15

Knowledge is “the awareness gained by experience of a fact or situation.” Wisdom is defined as “the quality of having knowledge and good judgment.”

Biblically, both wisdom and knowledge are frequently discussed. They are very important qualities to have in living life well. It is impossible to lead well without knowledge and wisdom.

But what is the difference between the two?

Knowledge gathers information and forms understanding, especially about God. It is inadequate to simply know a lot of facts. True, biblical knowledge understands who God is and forms an awareness that is centered around his heart.

Whereas knowledge is the gathering of information, wisdom comes as you learn how to apply the knowledge practically. Wisdom is developed by asking “Why?” and “How?” and seeking direction. It comes as you ask why something exists, why someone is acting the way they are, why something happened the way it did. And it asks, “How do I move forward with what I know?” It is important to pursue a life of wisdom and seek to understand both the facts and the nuances of life and human behavior.

When God offered Solomon one gift, Solomon did not choose riches, power, or success. Do you know what he asked God to give him? Wisdom! Solomon’s request pleased the heart of God. The biblical books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes contain much of the wisdom that the Lord gave Solomon. Historically, these books are called “wisdom literature.”

Additionally, did you know wisdom in Scripture is often personified as a woman? Proverbs 1:20-21 is an example of this personification. It says that wisdom calls aloud and raises her voice in the street. Proverbs 8:1-3 is another example, which says that wisdom calls out.

In the same way that a man seeks after a woman, we must seek after wisdom. We should desire it, pursue it, and receive its imprint on our lives. With all our hearts. Without it, we are in danger and vulnerable to deception and folly.

Seek both wisdom and knowledge. Together. A fruitful and faithful life comes from rightly pursuing and rightly using both of these tools God has given us.