Tag Archives: the book of Proverbs

“Do you see someone who speaks in haste?  There is more hope for a fool than for them.”  (Proverbs 29:20, NIV)

We live in a time where we can communicate with millions of other people in seconds, which is all the more reason we ought to heed the advice of today’s proverb.

Each day brings fresh, public examples of people speaking first, and thinking second.  The harm is often as devastating as it is irreparable.

Today, remember to measure your words.  Count to ten before giving an answer.  Store that prickly e-mail in the “drafts” folder for a while, and re-read it later.  Hold that text message.  Delay the tweet.  Pressing “send” in the heat of a matter often leads to regret.

God’s wisdom is as useful in the electronic age as it was in the oral age!  – Luther

Tagged ,

“Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.”  (Proverbs 13:10, NLT)

Taking advice — particularly when it differs from our preferred course of action — is difficult.  However, can we recall times when we did take hard advice to heart, and it saved us much trouble and conflict?

The hardest advice to swallow is “unsolicited advice.”  In such cases, consider the heart of the source.  Someone who has your best interests at heart will not only give you their best advice, but such individuals will stand with you in their counsel.

Don’t let pride get in the way of a saving word.  – Luther

Tagged , ,

“He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.  He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.”  (Proverbs 2:7, NLT)

Have you ever taken a short-cut only to discover — late — that it cost you more time, more money, and more energy than the “long way ’round” would have?

Have you thought that doing the right thing because it is the right thing requires too much “exposure” to less scrupulous people, who might take advantage?

In these circumstances, God’s word tells us that the path of honesty is the correct path — always; and that God is a shield to all persons of integrity.

Today, make honesty and integrity in all things your non-negotiable objective.   – Luther

Tagged , , ,