Proverbs 16

Bible Passage:  Proverbs 16

It’s not easy to rule over the spirit (Proverbs 16:32), or to manage our lives well without wisdom. Hence we can learn a few things from the book of Proverbs to manage matters in life. If we manage our lives well it gives other people comfort—it will give peace of mind to our parents, our friends and colleagues will see our good nature, and God will be glorified through us. One who can rule over his spirit and manage his life well will be blessed and successful.

Here are some of the characteristics of wisdom found in this chapter:

W isdom is someone who speaks what is right and righteous lips are the delight of a king (Proverbs 16:13), not just any king but a righteous king or God. Saying the right thing is not always easy. It’s easy to say good things, complements, or words of praise. On the other hand it’s not easy to speak words of rebuke or constructive criticism. As a result not many kings were successful because they didn’t listen to the “right” things; they only wanted to listen to the good things.

I t’s much better to get wisdom than to get gold (Proverbs 16:16)! No matter how much gold or money you ask for or accumulate in this life it will waste away with the world in the end days, and one cannot take any materialistic with them after physical death. Wisdom is someone seeking to please God, and God will delight in their good deeds and remember them forever.

S o did you wake up this morning with a plan for today? We always plan. Of course we must make plans or else we’d be unorganised, we procrastinate, or become idle. But did you tell your plan to God? Wisdom is someone who commits his plans to the Lord (Proverbs 16:3). There will be many choices to face every day and many decisions for us to make, but at least consider God in your daily schedule and make God a part of your plan.

D iscipline is good for you. We may not like it but we need it. Wisdom is someone who understands and is receptive to discipline and instruction. Having such a nature allows us to learn and not repeat our mistakes again. Having understanding is like a fountain of life (Proverbs 16:22), like peace of mind.  Imagine how anxious or frustrated we’d be if we didn’t understand why we’re being disciplined.

O ften it is hard to change the behaviour of a person. Wisdom is someone who discerns and persuades one to change through speech (Proverbs 16:21). Such a person could be a teacher, a manager, a friend, a parent, a brethren. It’s not easy to change someone. It may not be that they don’t want to but they don’t have the ability to.

M any things to learn from the characteristics of wisdom. Much more if you were to go through each verse. Wisdom is righteous. It’s precious. It plans with God in the big picture. Wisdom is discipline. Moreover wisdom can change a person.

What is your favourite verse in this chapter?