Proverbs 13
I would offer that the word love is not a verb, it is a noun. It is not a thing you do. It is the light that you are made of and what you were created to be.
Choosing Words Wisely
1 A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to correction.
2 Wise words will win you a good meal, but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.
3 Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.
4 Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.
5 The godly hate lies; the wicked cause shame and disgrace.
6 Godliness guards the path of the blameless, but the evil are misled by sin.
7 Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor.
8 The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened.
9 The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the light of the wicked will be snuffed
out.
10 Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.
11 Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed.
14 The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.
15 A person with good sense is respected; a treacherous person is headed for destruction.
16 Wise people think before they act; fools don’t – and even brag about their foolishness.
17 An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing.
19 It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.
18 If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored.
20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.
21 Trouble chases sinners, while blessings reward the righteous.
22 Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.
23 A poor person’s farm may produce much food, but injustice sweeps it all away.
24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.
25 The godly eat to their hearts’ content, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry. (NLT)
insights
Proverbs 13:3
Choosing words wisely is something we all can benefit from. We have all stuck our foot in our mouth a time or two. A hasty criticism that may not have been warranted, betraying a friend’s confidence without considering all of the consequences, or just plain gossiping and later realizing that we were in truth spreading lies.
Choosing words specifically to hurt others or control them is far too common in our society. Verbal abuse has become so prominent that those being abused in this way may not even realize they are being abused.
Wisdom teaches us to think before we speak, to consider carefully the weight of our words before we utter them. Once spoken, you cannot take your words back.
No one ever learned anything while they were speaking, only through listening can we gain wisdom. When we really listen, choosing words that bring life and healing becomes much easier.
Proverbs 13:8
This speaks to accepting the correction of others as well as correction from God. The mind, as it creates a reality we can survive in from the sensory data we receive from the world, registers its perceptions as correct. That is why we are so quick to defend ourselves when someone tells us we are wrong.
When you are placed in a position to give correction, choosing words wisely is critical. When receiving correction, listen for the healing words being given, rather than letting fear and hostility control your reaction.
We need to acknowledge that the reality we see has been created by the mind based on incorrect assumptions that fear and hostility belong in us. Fear and hostility do not belong in us. When we connect to our true source, created of love, we no longer need to be right, we are content to be.
Proverbs 13:21
Our trouble affects our loved ones as much or more than it affects us. Families will welcome the prodigal back again and again, hoping they have found some wisdom and will hold onto it.
When we turn from our sinful ways, we can conquer our trouble for ourselves and for the ones we love. It is up to us to recognize the choice before us and choose life at every crossroads we come to.
lynnibug
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