Proverbs 15:7 (NKJV) — 7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.
Wise lips, foolish hearts. As Jesus taught, it is from the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). The lips of the wise disperse knowledge because knowledge is in their hearts. But the heart of the fool is void of knowledge; therefore his lips cannot produce it. A wise heart and foolish lips are not companions, nor are a foolish heart and wise lips.
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Proverbs 15:6 (NKJV) — 6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.
True treasure. The righteous are truly rich. They possess riches that cannot be taken away, the most important of which is eternal life. Also included in this lasting wealth are fellowship with God, peace of mind, the genuine fruit of the Spirit, purpose, and the family of God. None of these things can be stolen or destroyed. (See Proverbs 10:22; Matthew 6:19-21.) But trouble accompanies what is gained wickedly, dishonestly, or violently. There is a blessing on the income of those who honor God and a curse on the income of those who fail to honor Him. (See Malachi 3:8-12.)
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Proverbs 15:5 (NKJV) — 5 A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.
Handling a father’s reproof. Those who despise their father’s instruction are fools. A sign of prudence is to regard reproof. Even when the father is not right, it is important to consider his words carefully and respond respectfully. A father can be wrong, and there may be cases when children cannot act on their father’s instruction because it contradicts God’s Word. (See Matthew 10:34-36.) But even if the father cannot be obeyed because his instructions are ungodly, he must be honored because he is the father. (See Exodus 20:12.) In general, children who are still at home under the direct authority of their parents are to obey them (Ephesians 6:1-2; Colossians 3:20). But even those who have left their father and mother to establish a new family and authority structure are to honor their parents.
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Proverbs 15:4 (NKJV) — 4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
A wholesome tongue. A wholesome tongue is a tongue that speaks wisdom, and it is a source of life. (See Proverbs 3:18.) A perverse tongue — a tongue that speaks unwise and evil things — causes a breach, or break, in a person’s spirit. It can also cause similar harm to the hearer.
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Proverbs 15:3 (NKJV) — 3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
The eyes of the LORD. One aspect of the fear of the LORD is the awareness that He is evaluating each thought, word, and deed. God is omnipresent and omniscient; nothing escapes His attention. People may never see or know what others have done, but God knows, and He will reward each person accord to that person’s works. He beholds and rewards both the evil and the good. (See Matthew 6:1-18; I Corinthians 3:12-15; Ephesians 6:8; Revelation 20:12-13.)
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Proverbs 15:2 (NKJV) — 2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
Using knowledge correctly. It is not enough to have knowledge; one must know how to use it. There is a right time and a right place to speak. Fools not only lack knowledge, but they lack control over their tongues. Foolishness pours out of their mouths.
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Proverbs 15:1 (NKJV) — 1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
How to defuse anger in others. The greatest single contributing factor to anger is the tongue. While grievous words stir up anger, soft responses to anger will turn it away. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus similarly taught us to resolve disputes through reconciliation, negotiation, and humility rather than by retaliation or vengeance (Matthew 5:23-26, 38-42). Pride causes a person to be extremely defensive and to respond in harshness, but humility speaks softly.
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Eleven days ago I received an invitation to participate in the blog published three times each week by the Pentecostal Publishing House. My contribution to the blog will focus on the books I have written, with 300 words summarizing why I wrote the book, its main points, and what audience might benefit from reading and applying it.
I’m delighted about this opportunity, for I have been thinking recently about completing a similar project for my website. I have written twenty-one books, but it is not unusual to be asked questions already answered in detail in those books.
My books are available at pentecostalpublishing.com as well as amazon.com. The blog is published at https://blog.pentecostalpublishing.com.
My plan is for the first blog post to introduce my most recent book, The Holy Spirit: A Commentary. Then I will move back through the earlier books. I hope you enjoy this project!
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Proverbs 14:35 (NKJV) — 35 The king’s favor is toward a wise servant, But his wrath is against him who causes shame.
How to gain favor with those in authority. Wisdom gives a person favor with those in authority. Examples are Joseph, Daniel, and his three Hebrew friends (Genesis 41:38-41; Daniel 1:19-20). Those in authority will eventually turn in anger on servants who cause them shame by their unwise actions. An example is King Darius’s treatment of those who deceived him by issuing the decree that resulted in Daniel’s being cast into the den of lions (Daniel 6:24-28).
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Proverbs 14:34 (NKJV) — 34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.
The exaltation of a nation. The only thing that truly exalts or honors a nation is righteousness. Weapons will not do it, nor will negotiation. Righteousness must be in the hearts of people; it cannot be conveyed through legislation. But if a nation’s laws are not founded on moral principles, then they are founded upon immorality.
Sin brings reproach or shame to any people who practice it, and ultimately it will bring down any nation. The once-mighty kingdoms of the past that exist only in rubble today are mute testimony to this truth.
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