A Collection of Solomon's Proverbs

INTRO

Proverbs are golden nuggets that Solomon wrote, which we just want to soak up and cherish. The problem is that, for example, Proverbs 15 has 33 verses, which is basically 33 sermons. So, this week, we’re going to hang out in just a couple of areas. Today, we’re going to address our talk (our tongue) and parenting. When we think about the proverbs, we think about nuggets of wisdom that one generation passes down to the next, over and over again.

TEACHING

Proverbs 15:1-2: A gentle answer turns away anger, but all harshness does is stir up more and more anger. Nelson’s Commentary says, “Often it is not so much what we say but the way we say it.”¹ A softer tone gets a better response. Wise people know how to respond in a way that makes people want to connect with them (v. 2a). The way they teach, interact, and communicate makes people want to know more. They draw people to what they are saying. In contrast, fools blurt out foolishness (v. 2b). Derek Kidner pointed out: “A wise man does not parade his knowledge; a fool does.”² We want to listen to the wise people who don’t say much, but when they do talk, what they say is important.

Warren Wiersbe said that Proverbs teaches us four things about human speech: “(1) Speech is an awesome gift from God; (2) speech can be used to do good; (3) speech can be used to do evil, and; (4) only God can help us use speech to do good.”³ When we depend on God for what we say, this works. When we function in the flesh, this doesn’t work. As parents, we may do better at this, but we are nowhere near perfect. We also get to see firsthand how this works on our children. The tongue can radically impact someone’s life. Based on your speech, people are either drawn to your words or repulsed by your words.

Proverbs 15:3–4: God is continually watching His people and based on the previous two verses, He’s watching how they use their tongues. Will they reflect Christ in all they say and do? God’s awareness of what is in our hearts is described in 2 Chronicles 16:9 and 1 Samuel 16:7. Scripture confirms that what is in our hearts is what comes out of our mouths (Luke 6:45). When we have a relationship with Jesus, then it should come out in our speech, making other people want what we have.

Verse 4 ties back with verses 1 and 2. A soft answer (v. 1) is a soothing tongue, and it is a tree of life (v. 4). But the hurtful word (v. 1) has a “crooked dealing”⁴ that breaks the spirit. The tongue can bring healing when we release a good word—the gospel, the Scriptures, the truth—it takes people back to how God originally designed us. But when you give in to a devious tongue, it breaks the spirit.

Proverbs 15:5: Although Solomon seemed to completely change topics here, this verse almost ties back to verse 2. When you release something wise, based on how you say it, people might actually receive what you say (v. 5). “A fool despises his father’s discipline” (v. 5a) may be connected to how his father says what he says.

Proverbs 15:6: Trouble will always follow the income that has been gained through wickedness (or illegal means).

Proverbs 15:7: This verse ties directly to verse 2. The word “broadcast” describes making known what needs to be known at the right time with the right tone. In contrast, the fools will broadcast whatever they know to anybody however they can be heard.

CLOSING

Proverbs are practical, daily nuggets that come from the Lord. If we can take these truths and actually apply them as we interact with people, we will walk in the footsteps of Jesus.