Lighten Up!
Opening Prayer
My beloved King, You have laid out a way to life. Let me follow in the way of wisdom and righteousness.
Read Proverbs 15:1-33
[1] A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. [2] The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. [3] The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. [4] The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. [5] A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. [6] The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin. [7] The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright. [8] The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. [9] The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness. [10] Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die. [11] Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD- how much more do human hearts! [12] Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise. [13] A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. [14] The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. [15] All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. [16] Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. [17] Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred. [18] A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. [19] The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. [20] A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. [21] Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course. [22] Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. [23] A person finds joy in giving an apt reply- and how good is a timely word! [24] The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead. [25] The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place. [26] The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight. [27] The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live. [28] The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. [29] The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. [30] Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. [31] Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise. [32] Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding. [33] Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is the fruit of honest lips?Internationally, such gestures as handshakes, arm waves, and foot movements can all be misinterpreted. The only universally recognized positive “body language” is a smile, a “cheerful face.” Here is its source–“a happy heart” (13). Whoever has one experiences “a continual feast” (15). Such cheerfulness brings joy and strength to others (30).Clues to maintaining a “positive mental attitude” are indicated here: the knowledge that everyone’s life is an open book to God (3,11); the certainty that he hears our prayers (8,29); a healthy “fear of the Lord” that produces wisdom to know how to handle life’s challenges (22-24,33). “Keep calm and carry on,” we might say, adding, “Lighten up! God is in control.” Typically, the darker side is also portrayed–heartache and lifelong wretchedness (13,15). Sometimes such misery is self-inflicted: the cardiogram of the fool’s heart (7) reveals a resistance to advice (1-9), summoning “stern discipline” (10). However, life is rarely that straightforward. There’s always “the dark night of the soul,” which may linger long after I have examined my heart, confessing my sin. What then?
Apply
Ask God where your lips are bringing health and where they are bringing harm. Take some time to journal and seek God.
Closing prayer
Lord, let me speak words that bring healing, life, and knowledge. Let me speak the words that You desire to speak.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.