Proverbs 15

I was asked a great question this week about the Proverbs.  Are we supposed to do all the things that the Proverbs teaches?  In other words, some of the recommendations that Proverbs makes seem wrong or foolish.  Are we supposed to put them into practice?  The Proverbs are observations and truisms about life.  Sometimes we put them into practice.  Verse 1 is an example of this.  If we want to calm people down and settle a dispute, nothing is better than a gentle answer.  We’ve all seen this.  If someone will reply in a soft voice, they can calm the angriest of people.  Other Proverbs don’t require direct action from us, they are simply observations about life or God.  Verse 11 is an example of this kind of Proverb.  It reminds us that God knows our hearts, the good, bad, and ugly.  This kind of Proverb may cause us to make changes in our life, but no recommendations are directly given.  We simply obey what God’s Spirit is leading us to do.   Still other Proverbs are observations that we are not supposed to practice.  Verse 12 is an example.  Obviously the wise person will live contrary to the mocker.  Verses like this also help us to discern people’s character.  If you have a friend who resents correction, keep your distance, they are a mocker.  You don’t have to read many chapters of Proverbs to realize that the way of the mocker is filled with pain.  

I hope this helps on your Qwest for Wisdom.