There is a principle in chapter 17 that I noticed after reading, and that is that sometimes it is better just to keep our mouth AND our ears shut.
17:4 - The wicked person referred to here is not necessarily the one who is doing the speaking, but the one who is doing the listening. Often times, Christians think they are doing nothing wrong because they did not say anything. Yet, this verse tells us we ARE a liar if we listen to those things that are not true. I believe the reason being that lies and gossip only spread as far as someone is willing to listen. As I often say, "Don't allow yourself to be someone else's trashcan. Tell them to keep their garbage to themselves."
17:14 - Solomon here gives great advice about how to handle a fight or a disagreement - walk away before it starts and gets out of hand! How many times do we feel the need to "get our point across," when really we are just giving in to our ego and trying to prove to everyone that we are right? We would have a lot less arguments and a lot more friendships still in tact if we would just quietly walk away from needless and pointless arguments.
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
ReplyDeleteA good verse on friendship. True friends are there when you need them most.
Your two examples are excellent gems from this chapter. Another I like is:
ReplyDeleteWisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. [Proverbs 17:24 KJV]
The idea of a fool continually looking over the horizon for what is right in front of him remains with me. For some "tomorrow" is so much better than today. Especially when confronted with: (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) [2 Corinthians 6:2 KJV]