Read Proverbs 14:33–15:4
Questions from the Scripture text: What does wisdom do in the heart of one who has understanding (Proverbs 14:33a)? But what happens to what’s in the heart of a fool (verse 33b)? What does righteousness do to a nation (Proverbs 14:34a)? What does sin do to a people (verse 34b)? What does a wise servant receive from the king (Proverbs 14:35a)? What does the one who causes shame receive (verse 35b)? What does a soft answer do (Proverbs 15:1a)? What does a harsh word do (verse 1b)? What does the tongue of the wise do (Proverbs 15:2a)? What does the mouth of fools do (verse 2b)? What are in every place (Proverbs 15:3a)? Doing what (verse 3b)? What does a healing (NKJ: wholesome) tongue do (Proverbs 15:4a)? What does perverseness of tongue do (verse 4b)?
How should we use out tongues? Proverbs 14:33–15:4 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should use our tongues as those imaging God, before the eyes of God.
This section deals with the character and consequences of our speech. Proverbs 14:33 focuses on self-control in speech. The man of understanding knows when to keep his wisdom to himself (verse 33a) and when to use it (Proverbs 15:2a), but the fool has no filter for what comes out of his mouth (Proverbs 14:33b, Proverbs 15:2b).
Proverbs 14:34–15:1 deal with both the king’s duty to punish evil and reward good (Proverbs 14:35), together with the sort of speech that either dissipates his wrath (verse 35a vs Proverbs 15:1a), or stirs it up (verse 1b). The righteousness that exalts a nation (Proverbs 14:34a) is especially the fear of the Lord: true, biblical wisdom that is expressed in (among other things) wise speech. This should receive the king’s favor. But, since sin causes shame to the people (verse 34b), the king has a duty to express his wrath (Proverbs 14:35b) upon those whose shameful speech proceeds from a shameful heart.
This is not restricted to earthly kingdoms. For, there is One Who is king over all, and He perfectly performs His kingly duties (Proverbs 15:3). We are created to use our tongues in life-giving imitation of the King Himself (Proverbs 15:4a). Using it crookedly, perversely, imitates the devil by crushing life (verse 4b).
How are you filtering what comes out of your mouth? What effect do your behavior, and your speech, have upon your own family/church/community? Would others characterize your speech has gentle or harsh? What consideration do you give to what God sees, in how you use your mouth? To whom are you giving life with your words? How are you refraining from harming with your words?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for creating us in Your image, so that our speech can do good. Forgive us for when we have been unrestrained in harsh or harmful speech, and make us more like Christ, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”