Things We Can Learn from Proverbs 29
Things We Can Learn from Proverbs 29
Proverbs 29 is one of the many books of the Bible that has some beautiful nuggets of wisdom on how we can carry ourselves and there is much we can learn. Let’s review and break down a few of these verses that spoke to me that I hope speak to your heart as well. I will be using the NLT version today as it is easier for most readers to comprehend, but as always, I encourage you to reference back to the KJV.
Accept Constructive Criticism
“Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.”
Proverbs 29:1
Have you ever met those people that cannot seem to accept constructive criticism? You watch as they make the same mistake over and over and you try to guide them, but they refuse to accept any criticism. Sometimes they will have to be humbled by God. Keep this verse in mind when others try to share constructive criticism with you, or when God rebukes you. If you reject God’s criticism the consequences are dire.
We can be so prideful at times and forget that there is always room for improvement. Stay humble and know there is always room for growth! The Lord has a way of putting us in our place. And remember, when God rebukes, he expects change. Do not harden your heart against his correction and refuse to change. One preacher words it as if you persist in sin, even when corrected, you will reap its consequences.
Seek After Wisdom and Keep Good Company
“The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but if he hangs around with prostitutes his wealth is wasted.”
Proverbs 29:3
One that seeks after wisdom, especially Godly wisdom, does not waste but improves the substance given to him and brings joy to his father. But, one who keeps company with harlots spends his substance, and brings grief to his family. Always seek after wisdom, especially Godly wisdom, not letting what’s been given to you be wasted. Remember how the prodigal son (Luke 15) squandered his father’s substance living in immorality. But, one who loves wisdom brings joy and makes the father rejoice.
Have Self Restraint and Control When Angry
“Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.”
Proverbs 29:11
We all know how our words, or actions, can get us in trouble quickly when we react when angry. The Bible says only fools vent their anger. Next time you are in a situation when you feel anger taking over, keep this verse in mind. The KJV says, “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterward.” You are better to stay silent than utter your mind, as only a fool utters everything on his mind.
A fool vents all their feelings. I heard it said by a preacher once, “Wisdom is demonstrated by self control. Even when you are angry, choose your words carefully. Once they are out of your mouth, you cannot retrieve them. So choose your words carefully”. I know some of us still carry scars from something someone has said to us in our past. Words can cut deep, and you can never take them back. Never use your words as weapons. But, instead use them to heal and build others up.
Choose to Be Humble over Prideful and Don’t let your Anger cause you to Sin
“An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin. Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.”
Proverbs 29:22-23
Often at the root of most fights is pride. Being too prideful that we feel we need to get the last word. Or, feeling the need to defend ourselves if our pride is hurt. But, the Bible says pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. Choose humility over pride. And when angry, step away lest you allow it to lead to sin. One way to control that anger is by staying where you need to be with God.
When we are serving His spirit, instead of our flesh, we are going to choose to fulfill what the Spirit would want; instead of what our flesh wants. It is a waste of time to try to argue with someone who is angry. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:23-24, “Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.“
Think Before You Speak
“There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.”
Proverbs 29:20
We have all been here. When we speak what is on our mind and then replay it back to ourselves thinking, “what did I just say and why did I say that?” The Bible says there is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking. Most of us heard while growing up the infamous saying think before you speak. But, it can be harder than it sounds for some of us. This is something I myself struggle with. It takes self-discipline to not always say what is on your mind. Pay attention when you speak and ask yourself, are you thinking before you speak?
Trust in the Lord
“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.”
Proverbs 29:25
Often it is said the opposite of fear is faith. When we give way to fear, our fear grows stronger, and our faith weaker. But, the Bible assures us trusting and having faith in the Lord means safety. Don’t fall into the trap of fear. KJV says, but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe! Daily Verse says it best:
“The Bible teaches that you cannot reverence God and man at the same time, and Paul addresses this issue in Galatians when he asks, “Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Am I striving to please men or the Lord?” And in Psalm 56, the writer shows that fear of man evaporates when we place our trust and confidence in the Lord. “In God, I have put my trust,” he declares. “I shall not be afraid! What can man do to me?”
Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/proverbs-29-25
Godly vs. Ungodly
“The righteous despise the unjust; the wicked despise the godly.”
Proverbs 29:27
We cannot have a friendship with the world. We are to despise the ungodly things. Every day we see more and more how good is called evil, and evil is called good; just as the Bible said it would be. The wicked despise Christians, and Christians are compromising their morals every day to be part of the ‘cool kids’. If you are serving God, you shouldn’t be comfortable partaking in the wicked of this world. You can distinguish the righteous from the wicked by their fruits. Do they submit to the authority of God? Have they given up their comforts of the world to serve Him?
The way we live versus the unjust is just so different. We live to serve God, they live to serve their flesh. While we are studying the Word and allowing God to heal us, they are partying and trying to fill their voids with alcohol, sex, or drugs. We strive to live in the light, while they are okay living in the darkness. The light and the dark, the righteous and the unrighteous will always live in opposition with one another.
Obey God’s Guidance
“When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.”
Proverbs 29:18
Sin is bondage. It will suck the life out of you and drag you down. And don’t think when you get past one struggle that the enemy won’t already be laying another trap with another sin you struggle with. Always be on your guard as the enemy is like a roaring lion looking to devour. Letting your guard down for one moment opens you up to sin. Obey the law and accept God’s guidance and His vision for your life. You will notice a difference in the peace and joy you feel when you are serving God over your flesh.
In Summary:
Be humble. Open yourself up to constructive criticism and growth. Let go of your pride and humble yourself. Control your temper and your anger. Always think before you speak. Do not speak when you’re angry and do not hold onto anger allowing it to take root and fill you with bitterness.
Remember that only a fool utters his mind. Bring honor to God and your family by the way you live, or it could cost you everything. Seek after wisdom, especially Godly wisdom.
Conduct Yourself as a Citizen of Heaven
Don’t be hasty with your words. Focus more on listening than speaking. This includes with social media. Have restraint when posting things while emotional. Don’t be a fool uttering your mind! Remember we are God’s people! We need to conduct ourselves as such. Place your trust in God and keep faith in Him.
Do not allow yourself to be overcome by fear of people, but rather fear of the Lord. But fear of the Lord is different than what you typically would consider fear. Fear of the Lord is healthy respect for God’s definition of good and evil. It’s a deep reverence for God. Put Him first above all. Seek to live a life worthy of His sacrifice.
Conclusion:
I hope this small breakdown of some of the wisdom in Proverbs 29 helps you evaluate some areas in your life you may need to work on. My hope is that it illuminates areas God can help you grow in as it did for me. There is ultimate freedom in God and the Bible gives us so much wisdom that saves us from heartache. The world sees Biblical instruction as rules, but we know too well the consequences of sin when we have not heeded the instruction and wisdom in the Bible.
We all serve something. Either the world and sin, or God. We cannot serve both. The way you live, and your actions, speaks a lot about who you serve. Take note of your actions this week and how you handle yourself. Use some of these Proverbs to see in what ways you can improve.
Disclaimer: Just a reminder, always consult your Bible and God for wisdom. Christian bloggers have a heavy burden to bear in trying to ensure we are not misrepresenting the Word and taking verses out of context. But, we are human and can make mistakes. So, I encourage you to always go to the source, and if there’s something you feel we need to review, please let us know! 🙂
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Hey, I'm Nicole, the Creator behind Follower by Faith! Just a hard-working, animal loving mom/wife who's been through many trials and wants to turn my mess into a message to bring glory to God through helping others. Welcome!