Poetry – Proverbs 14-15

Proverbs! How I hate this book! And yet… how I love and treasure it.

I hate it because each time I read it, it reveals more and more of my weaknesses and drives me to despair when I think about them.  I hardly dare to read as the words of wisdom are like daggers being thrown directly at me, piercing my heart and soul.

But I love and treasure it because each time after I get past my discomfort and think and reflect upon the words of wisdom, I do feel that God is talking directly to me as a loving Father, admonishing me, correcting me, encouraging me and comforting me.

If you have been following along the Proverbs readings, you would know what a struggle it has been for me to do Proverbs.  Reading today’s passage was yet another painful experience …

Bible Passage:  Proverbs 14-15

You just can never get tired of reading the book of Proverbs because each time you read it, new teachings, new reflections and new impressions just come to you.

Reading today’s passage was like receiving multiple hammer blows to my chest.

BAM!  Bam!  BAM! On and on the words of God were hammered into me…

The Foolish Self Confident Man

A wise man fears and departs from evil,
But a fool rages and is self-confident.

Proverbs 14:16

In fact, my wife had just said something along the same lines just a couple of nights ago.  She was concerned and was encouraging me to be watchful in prayer as I continued to be actively part of various church activities and projects.  I still remember dismissing her fears when she said that…

You know, I always pride myself for being an easy going person with a very good temperament.  I hardly ever lose my temper and can be very patient and calm.

But something happened yesterday that made me lose my temper in a very bad way and in a rash, I did and said things that I ought not to have said.

In my overconfidence of one of my greatest strengths, I failed miserably.  I did not act wisely.  Neither did I recognise the signs of the evil one – and allowed myself to be drawn into the mix of anger and harsh words and ended up a fool.

One mark of the fool is overconfidence about being able to avoid evil.

“It can’t happen to me” is his motto.  “And if it does, I can handle it” he boasts.  But the Bible says he is tragically mistaken.

I know that now…

“Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall,” the New Testament warns (1 Cor 10:12).  And Jesus told His disciples who insisted that they will never abandon or deny Him even if it will cost them their lives, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.  The spirit is indeed willing but the flesh is weak.” (Matt 26:35, 41).

I’ve come to the understanding that overconfidence about one’s own moral and spiritual strength is perilous.  It shows that one has no appreciation of the nature and power of evil.  If people such as Moses, David and Peter were tempted and fell into sin (Num 20:2-13; 2 Sam 11; Matt 26:69-75), what chance do the rest of us have if we fail to be wary of sin’s power?

So we read in Proverbs 14:16 that we are to depart from evil, that we turn our backs to temptation and refuse to toy with sin.

And that was what I did not do last night.

I should have walked away. I should have turned my back.  I should not have carried on…

And I learned a bitter lesson and must admit that I am a fool.  All the Words of God stored inside me throughout the year… all the spiritual nurture that I have strove to improve upon this year… all wiped out in a flash of anger.

Indeed, whatever tempts you to sin, we must do whatever it takes to turn our backs on it and turn towards “righteousness, faih, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Tim 2:22).

Be Slow To Anger

As I said, I got very angry yesterday.  And said and did foolish things.

After the dust had settled, and I was calmer and had prayed to God asking for His forgiveness, I was very apprehensive about reading today’s Proverbs passage.  Because I knew that God will not let me off lightly.

And He did not.

He who is slow to wrath has great understanding,
But he who is impulsive exalts folly.

Proverbs 14:29

We all know these teachings well.

Being slow to wrath allows us time to reflect on a given situation.

When we take time to reflect on a situation before we act, we may see aspects that aren’t readily apparent at the first glance. In addition, in situations that we allow ourselves to become angry,very often, other poeple are involved as well.  Therefore, being slow to wrath may allow us time to evaluate and think about why and what we are angry with the other individuals about.  This can lead to a more rational action.

Wrath implies a level of emotion that is above simple anger. It often precedes or implies some form of retribution. We want to take some action that will make us feel good at the expense of the other party.  As Christians, we should be careful about becoming wrathful. Specifically, since God has declared that vengeance is His (Romans 12:19).

I am also learning that even if we had thought through a situation and feel justified in exercising our wrath, we should still turn to Jesus in prayer before acting on our wrath.

I need to be reminded that Jesus expects us to forgive those who offend us.  It is often easier said than done… especially when you are in the midst of the situation.

But we all know from past experiences that impulsive actions are often not the best acions.  Often, these actions will only result in deep regret and sorrow.

Jesus will judge me according to how I respond.  And once again, I really need forgiveness from the Lord and your prayers for me.

Proverbs 14:29 was not the only verse on anger today.  It seems as though God knew I needed a heavy dose of reminders today and He just let me have it today.  And as I read these verses… I could not help thinking… “if only…”

A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
And a man of wicked intentions is hated.

Proverbs 14:27

A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness

Proverbs 15:1-2

A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,
And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

Proverbs 15:23

The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD,
But the words of the pure are pleasant.

Proverbs 15:26

The heart of the righteous studies how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

Proverbs 15:28

I started with words of encouragement from my wise wife and will now end with another encouragement from her.

When I shared with her what I felt after reading today’s passage, she said words to this effect that it does not matter how many times we have read it or even memorise the verses in Proverbs. We will still not rememver them or forget to put them into practice.

That is why we need to read them daily and also pray about them so that in the light of our new experiences each day, these words of wisdom can bring us practical and godly insight and lessons.

And if YOU are reading this… please forgive me.  I am really sorry.

May the Lord have mercy on me.