Proverbs 14-16 The Heart of the Wise

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The Heart of the Wise
Proverbs 14-16
October 5-6, 2024

We are in the section of Proverbs where Solomon gives wisdom as individual pieces of treasure; one treasure of wisdom after the other. But a valuable and deep wisdom in one verse may not necessarily be connected to a treasure of wisdom in the next first. To some, it may appear to be random.

But as I mentioned before, there are themes that run through the fabric of the beautiful tapestry of the Proverbs. These themes speak to the whole of life, and in these chapters in particular, they speak to the inner workings of the heart and the attitude of the mind. Here, Solomon oftentimes emphasizes the significance of the words that you speak, knowing that “the mouth speaks out of the good treasure that fills the heart.”

As we saw last week, he often compares the righteous to the wicked. It’s one of the great themes of the Proverbs. Over and over, he draws a contrast between them; the righteous and the wicked – the foolish and the wise.

The wicked we understand. They are born in the ugly nature of man and continue in that condition the rest of their lives. But who are the righteous? Are they perfect? No, not one. But they do delight in that which God is doing in their heart. They know they were born in that same ugly condition of man and that it is only by the transforming power of God will they be changed.

That is the work of God in the inner man. That is the theme we will see in these verses today. The righteous revere and honor God. That is the beginning of wisdom. They delight in the beautiful work that God is doing in their soul. They take hold of God’s wisdom and want to live by it.

They want to know the inner workings of their heart so that God’s wisdom and God’s heart can transform their soul from within.

We’re going to look at these chapters a bit differently. Instead of reading verse by verse in detail, which we do on Wednesday evenings, we will capture the themes that are woven into these verses.

The main theme of these chapters is the work of God in the inner man. It’s what could be called deeper wisdom. It causes us to ponder the condition of our soul deeply. If we can understand the inner workings of our heart and ask God to show us what needs to be transformed, we can take hold of God’s wisdom, and our soul will be changed, and we will live and move with “The Heart of the Wise.”

By the way, before we look at the great themes of these chapters, I wanted to highlight one of my favorite verses… Proverbs 14:4, “Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean; but much increase comes by the strength of an ox.” In other words, oxen are messy, they leave ox pies in the stall. Those who don’t like ox pies don’t have oxen; but much strength comes by the strength of an ox. In other words, life is messy, and people are messy; if you want to be productive and effective, be willing to clean ox pies.

I. The Wise will Ponder their Way

14:8, “The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way…”
One of the deep truths of the Proverbs is that it must become personal. Those who are wise desire to know the inner workings of their heart, the motive behind their desires and to understand his way.
Some never stop to consider the inner working of their heart. They never stop to understand why they do what they do. But the wise seek to understand; so that God can help heal and strengthen the soul within…
14:10, “The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy.”

Illus – One of the turning points of my life was when I was a young man in my late teens and early 20s. I was angry and bitter. I was bitter in my heart because of the conditions of my life. I was raised in poverty and my father was an angry and abusive alcoholic. And I didn’t want anyone to know it. I didn’t want people to judge me, so I gave the impression that all was well, but all was not well. I knew my own bitterness very well.

14:13, “Even in laughter the heart may be in pain…”

Many know my story that it all came to a head on my 21^st birthday when I was complaining to God about my life. God spoke a better word, and it changed me. He became my father.

But there was still much work to do in my heart. I used to sit for hours praying, “God, show me my heart. Show me the root that caused the bitterness and speak life to it.” God was healing my heart.

God healed my heart so much that several years later, God made a way for me to become a pastor, that I could be used of God to heal others of their pain and bitterness. God even gave me the privilege of leading my father to the Lord and the privilege of baptizing him with my own hands.

The heart knows its own bitterness. That’s true. And when you bring it all to the altar, the Father’s arms are open wide. Jesus is calling.

A. Let wisdom settle well in your heart

14:33, “Wisdom rests in the heart of the one who has understanding…”
You might say that wisdom rests well, it has settled well in the heart of the one who has understanding. He delights in it.
He measures all things by the wisdom of God.
14:12 (and 16:25), “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
These are very important verses. Anyone who is wise would say, “I don’t want to do that which seems right to me, I think it’s right, but in the end, it is the way of death.” I don’t want that.
What are you to do? How do you avoid this error of thinking that something is right, that it seems right to you, but it isn’t right, it only leads to death?

Answer: you pray. You pray one of the most important prayers you could ever pray when you face a difficulty, or a conundrum and you don’t know what to do. You’ve come to a decision point, a turning point.
You pray, “God, show me. Lord, give me insight. Give be wisdom from Your heart. I don’t want to do something just because it seems right to me, please show me the way.”

James 1:5, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord.

B. The wise have godly confidence

14:16, “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and his children will have refuge.”
This is the difference. Those who are godly wise respect, revere, and honor God. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” we read in Proverbs 1.
When you have that bearing; when you truly respect and honor God, you also have faith. And those who have faith have godly confidence.
It makes all the difference in the world to know that God is for you, that He will never leave you nor forsake you, that His favor will rest upon those who honor Him.

Psalm 71:3, 5, 7, Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come; You have given commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress…You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my confidence from my youth…I have become a marvel to many; for You are my strong refuge.

The godly wise have strong confidence because they understand the significance of the hand of God in their lives. Never discount the hand of God.
15:19, 24, “The path of the upright is a highway… The path of life leads upward for the wise.”
16:3, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
16:9, “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

Psalm 37:23, 31, The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way… The word of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.

II. The Wise know the Power of Their Words

Proverbs 18:4, “The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters, the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook…”
Proverbs 10:31, “The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom…”
16:23, “The heart of the wise teaches his mouth…”
Those who are wise store up the treasures of God’s wisdom in their hearts. It becomes a great reservoir from which wisdom flows. “The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters.”
Those who are wise know the power of their words and guard them carefully.

A. Pleasant words are sweet to the soul

16:24, “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Those who are wise know the power of their words, and the heart of the wise informs their mouth and the words they speak. There is great power in words.
Words can build up and words can tear down.

James 3: The tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!

It takes great wisdom to understand the power of words. Pleasant words edify, build up, strengthen and encourage. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Colossians 4:6, Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned as though with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

Ephesians 4:29, Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

James 1:26, If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his own heart. This man’s religion is worthless.

Luke 6:45, “The mouth speaks from that which fills the heart.”

Speak only such a word as is good for edification, according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Give grace; treat people better than they deserve.
Grace is the most powerful thing I know in responding to difficult people and difficult words. Grace is power.

B. The wise rule over their own spirit

Proverbs 25:28, “Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit.”
The one who has no control over his spirit is also called quick-tempered. They get angry quickly, like a flash. Why? Oftentimes it’s because they’re easily offended. They take things personally. They can’t stand the idea of someone speaking or thinking poorly of them.
God’s wisdom says that you must rule over your own spirit…
14:17, “A quick-tempered man acts foolishly.”

Proverbs 29:11, A fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back.

15:18, “A hot tempered man stirs up anger, but the slow to anger pacifies contention.”
James says a similar word…

James 1:19-20, Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

Not only does the anger of man not achieve the righteousness of God, but it is also an ineffective way to live or to love.
The anger of man comes from the flesh. It’s often the flesh that rises up first…

Illus – When someone cuts you off in traffic, it isn’t your gracious spirit that rises up within you… saying, “Bless you, brother, you must be in a hurry, here, please, take my lane.” No, it’s the flesh that rises up first. I read about this in a book.

Proverbs also gives the answer…
16:32, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; he who rules his spirit is better than he who captures a city.”
I wish I could truly convey the significance of a calm spirit. Those who are quick-tempered have boxed themselves in and limited their options. It’s not effective. It hinders the accomplishing of God’s purpose.
14:30, “A tranquil heart is life to the body.”
15:15, “A cheerful heart has a continual feast…”
Delight yourself in the Almighty. Delight your soul in that which God is doing and dwell in the nearness of God and his glory will transform your heart. A tranquil heart is life to the body. A cheerful heart has a continual feast…”

The Heart of the Wise
Proverbs 14-16
October 5-6, 2024

We are in the section of the Proverbs where Solomon gives the wisdom like individual pieces of treasure, one treasure of wisdom after the other. What's interesting is that a valuable deep wisdom in one verse may not necessarily be connected to the treasure of wisdom in the next verse. When you read through it, it seems that he changes the topic, one verse right after the other.

As I mentioned before, there are these themes that run through the fabric of this beautiful tapestry of the Proverbs. These themes touch on and speak to the whole of life. In these chapters in particular, they speak to and of the inner workings of the heart, the deepest inner workings of the heart, the attitude of the mind. Oftentimes, as Solomon will emphasize them, the result that comes forth out of that wisdom, the words that you speak, the life that you live, knowing that the mouth speaks and the life is lived out of the good treasure that fills the heart.

Now, as we saw last week, he oftentimes draws a contrast between the righteous and the wicked, the foolish and the wise. He does this to show each one the result that will come in your life if you choose the path of one or the other. Of course, he does this because God wants you to choose the path of the righteous, of the wisdom of God, and he will show you the great result in your life.

Now, the wicked, we understand, these are the ones born in the ugly nature of man. Man born in the condition of man is quite ugly, but these are the ones that continue in that condition the rest of their lives. Who are the righteous that he describes in the Proverbs? Are they perfect? No, not one, but they do delight in what God is doing in their lives. They know that they are born in that same ugly condition of man, and that it is only by the grace of God and by the hand of God, by the transforming of the power of God, will they be changed, and they delight in it. That is the work of God in the inner man. That is the theme that we see in these verses today.

Now, as we've said before, the foundation of God's wisdom is the fear of the Lord. It means the revering of God, the respect of God. These are the ones who hold God in a great place of honor in their lives. That is the beginning. These are the ones that delight in that which God is doing in their soul, and they take hold of that wisdom, and they want to live by that wisdom.

Now, what's interesting is that these chapters that we're going to look at, speak of those who are wise, that they want to know the inner workings of their heart. They want to know so that God's wisdom and God's heart can transform the deepest recesses of their soul. Now, we're going to look at these chapters here a bit differently. Instead of reading verse by verse in detail that we will do on Wednesday. Wednesday, we just take each verse as it comes, and we'll change the topic as quickly as he does as well.

What I want to do today is a little different. What I want to do is to capture the themes that are woven into these verses. The main theme of these chapters is the work of God in the inner man. This is what could be called deeper wisdom, wisdom that resides deep in the soul. It causes us to ponder the condition of our soul deeply. If we can understand the inner workings of our heart, then we can ask God to show us what needs to be transformed in the deepest recesses of our heart. There we can take hold of God's wisdom, and our soul can be changed by it, and then we will live and move with the wisdom of God in our lives. The depths that he's going to speak of are amazing.

Now, before we look into the great themes of these chapters, I wanted to highlight one of my favorite verses of these chapters, which is Proverbs 14:4 where it says, "Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean. I don't know why I love this verse, but I really love this verse. Where there are no oxen the manger is clean, but much increase comes from the strength of an ox. See, in other words, oxen are messy. They leave ox pies in the stall. Those who don't like ox pies don't have oxen, but much increase comes from the strength of an ox. See, in other words, life is messy. People are messy. If you want to have a productive and effective life, be willing to clean some ox pies. That is deep wisdom right there.

II. The Wise will Ponder their Way

All right, Proverbs 14, and 15, and 16, looking at the great themes that are woven through these chapters, starting with this, that the wise will ponder their way. This is a very deep understanding. The wise will ponder, and it means that they prayerfully ponder. Notice, for example, Proverbs 14:8, "The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way." To understand one's own way.

You see, one of the deep truths of the Proverbs is that they're meant to be personal. They're meant to be applied in the deepest part of the soul. They're not just pieces of wisdom that one might memorize. No, they're meant to be applied personally, to know the inner workings on the heart, to know the motive behind their desire, to understand his way. That is wisdom. See some never stop to consider the inner workings of their heart. They never stop to understand why they do what they do, but the wise do. They seek to understand so that God can then touch the deepest places of their heart. Because many people in the deepest recesses of their soul, there resides many hurts, wounds, bitterness.

Notice, for example, Proverbs 14:10, "The heart knows its own bitterness." Now see, this is very deep here. The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its story. In other words, there are deep things that reside in the secret places of the heart that are not easily shared. Oftentimes, no one knows. Deep things that reside in deep places. The heart knows its own bitterness, and there is where the wisdom of God and the heart of God will touch.

One of the turning points of my life. Many of you know my story, that one of the turning points of my life was when I was a young man in my late teens and early '20s. I was a angry and bitter young man. I was bitter because of the conditions of my life, as I've told this story before. I lived in extreme poverty. I did not know anyone poorer than us. Our home was chaos and dysfunction. My father was abusive, angry, cantankerous, alcoholic that abused our mother in front of us, and I was ashamed of it. I didn't want anyone to know it, so I gave the impression that all was well. If you were to meet me, you would think that all was well, but all was not well.

Notice, for example, Proverbs 14:13, "Even in laughter, the heart may be in pain." These are deep chapters with deep truths. Even in laughter, the heart may be in pain. I was ashamed. I didn't want anyone to know. I made it look like all was well, but all was not well. I knew my own bitterness. The heart knows its own bitterness. Many of you know my story. I mentioned briefly on Wednesday, that it all came to a head on my 21st birthday. That was a very monumental day in my life, because I was alone, and I'm having an out with God. I am complaining to God about the condition of my life. I thought everything was against me. I had every disadvantage in life, and I'm complaining, "God, it's not right."

I talk about my father and my poverty and the dysfunction and the chaos, and I'm just laying it out before the Lord. I don't know if you've ever had one of those Holy Spirit just speak directly, just speak in your heart, and that's what happened to me that day. I just felt this, the word of the Lord impressed upon my heart, "I know, but I will be your Father now, and I will be a father like no earthly father could ever be. I will never leave you. I will never forsake you. My hand will be upon your life." The thing is, I believed it. I took hold of this great truth. God became my Father.

There was still much work to do. I had lived in that condition for many years. You don't just get out of that condition with one prayer. God had much work to do. I used to sit for hours alone in the darkness praying. The prayer was like this, "God, show me. Show me my heart. Show me the root of that bitterness, and speak life to it. Peel back the layers of the hurt and the pain, and speak life to it." This healed me. Hour by hour, prayer by prayer, God was speaking life. He was speaking a better word. He was healing my heart. God healed my heart so much. Brought so much joy into my life.

That God made a way for me to become a pastor, that I could be used of God to heal others in their pain and their bitterness. I tell you, I have come to know that God can take the one who's hurt and embittered, and God can do a beautiful work of revival in the soul.

See, that is one of the beautiful insights that God has revealed through his word, that God can do a beautiful work. The hurts, the bitternesses, the wounds, God can speak life to all of them. God will heal all of them, and then he'll do a work of glory. I tell you what, He did such a work that in my relationship to my own father, that I had the opportunity several years later to lead my father to faith in Jesus Christ, and I got to baptize him with my own hands. It's never too late to change an old, cantankerous, impossible soul.

See, it's a great truth. The heart knows its own bitterness. That's true, but when you bring it all to the altar, the Father's arms are open wide, and Jesus is calling. I'm here to tell you today that if you have bitterness, you have wounds in the deepest recesses of your heart, and no one knows, those who are wise say, "God, speak life to it. Show me. Speak life to it." For what will happen is this, notice chapter 14:33, that wisdom will rest in the heart of the one who has understanding. In other words, let wisdom settle well in the soul. Wisdom rests well, settled well in the heart of the one who has understanding.

A. Let wisdom settle well in your heart

He delights in that which God is doing, and He will measure all things by that wisdom that rests well in his soul. He will measure all things by that wisdom, which resides and rests well in his soul. Notice these verses. Now in chapter 14:12 and verse 16, verse 25 they are identical. He repeats it twice. Notice this verse, "There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Now, these are important verses. Anyone who is wise would say, "I don't want to do that which seems right, I think it's right, but it isn't right. For in the end it's the way of death." I don't want that.

Anyone who is wise would agree, but what is one to do? How do you avoid this error of thinking, of living that something seems right, but it isn't right. It only leads to death. Now, one of the things we've seen about wisdom is that wisdom predicts the outcome. Wisdom can see the insight of the outcome. I don't want the end of this thing to be death. I don't want to do that which seems right. What is one to do? Answer, you pray one of the most important prayers you could ever pray, when you're facing a difficulty, a conundrum. You need to navigate through a trouble. You're at a decision point in life.

You pray one of the most important prayers you could ever pray, and that prayer is this, "God, show me. Those who are wise, ponder their way. God, show me. Give me insight. Help me to see. I don't want to do that which seems right, but it is not right. I need you to show me. Those who are wise will ponder their way." Notice, for example, Proverbs 5:6. The sinner does not ponder the path of life. Her ways are unstable, and she doesn't even know it. She just goes about, or that person, that sinner, just goes about quite blindly, but the wise ponder their way before the Lord. God show me.

James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, then let him ask of God who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf in the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not expect that he will receive anything from the Lord." That is that bearing, God show me. Give me that wisdom, and He'll do it, and He will do it generously. He will do abundantly. The result is this. The result is that the wise have Godly confidence in the path in which they then move.

B. The wise have godly confidence

Notice, for example, Proverbs 14:16, "In the fear of the Lord, there is strong confidence." Would you notice the words "strong confidence." "In the fear of the Lord, there is strong confidence, and even his children will have refuge. Even his children's children will have refuge in the result that comes in his life." Notice that it begins there in the fear of the Lord. Again, that means these are the ones who respect God, revere God. They hold God in a place of great honor in their lives. This is the difference. When you have that bearing, when you truly respect and honor God, you have faith. Those who have faith have Godly confidence to walk in the path that God has set before them.

I tell you, Solomon would've learned this from David. If anyone understood how to walk in the path of life with the strong confidence of God, it would surely be David. It makes all the difference in the world to know that God is for you, that he will never leave you nor forsake you, that his favor will rest upon those who honor Him. Would you notice what David wrote in Psalm 71, "Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come." Now, we cannot pass over that sentence, because it is the foundation of everything he's going to say next. Notice that, "Oh God, be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come." God is a rock of habitation.

David knew how to strengthen his own soul. He knew how to strengthen the inner man. There was a rock of habitation to which David would continually come. He would dwell there in that nearness of God, that glory. David says, "One thing I've asked of the Lord and that I shall seek, that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my life so that I can behold the beauty of the Lord." David understood what many do not understand. There is a rock of habitation to which I may continually come. "For you have given commandment to save."

When God, when you issue a command, when you issue a word and that word is a word to save me, that I know it will be done. I know my God, and when he issues that command, it will be done. For you are my rock. You are my fortress. You are my hope, and oh Lord God, you are my confidence. Notice, "Since my youth." I love that part right there, since my youth, you have been my confidence. Oh, this is a great word. If a young person could understand this great truth while they are young, you have no idea what God can do with a life of someone who trusts God in this way while they are young, and then they live their life on that rock of habitation.

I say to young people, you have no idea what God can do with you if you would take hold of this great truth while you are young. So many times, young people, they struggle to find their way, and many of them lose their way, but those who are wise will understand this great truth, "Oh Lord God, you are my confidence since my youth." Then he says, "I have become a marvel to many for you are my strong refuge." People will look at David and say, "What a marvel." David was just a shepherd boy. He was like nothing, of no consequence.

He's just a shepherd boy, but then look, what a marvel, a great captain and commander, a great victor, a great king. What a marvel.

David would say, "But you have no idea. It was by my God that I can leap upon a wall. It's by my God I can run upon a troop. By my God, I can bend a bow of bronze, and by my God if 10,000 arise against me, in spite of this, I shall be confident. It's because of the help of God that I'm a marvel to many." Wise is the one who knows this when he is young. The Godly wise have strong confidence, because they understand the significance of the hand of God in their lives. Never discount the hand of God in your life.

Notice these verses, Proverbs 15:19 and then also 24, "The path of the upright is a highway. God will clear the way. The path of life leads upward for the wise, farther in and higher up they go, and God clears their path." Proverbs 16:3, "Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established." God will do it. Proverbs 16:9, "The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Never discount the hand of God in your life. Psalm 37:23 and 31, "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He," God, "Delights in his way, for the word of God is in his heart, and therefore his steps do not slip."

II. The Wise know the Power of Their Words

Now going back to these chapters, notice the next great theme that he reveals to us in these chapters that the wise know the power of their words. The wise understand words are powerful. Let me give you a verse that is absolutely wonderful. Proverbs 18:4, "The words of a man's mouth are deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook." What a wonderful understanding. The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, and that which comes from those deep waters is a refreshing bubbling brook.

Proverbs 10:31 similarly says, "The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom." It suggests that in the heart of the one who is wise, there is a great reservoir of wisdom. God's wisdom stored, treasured in the soul is a great reservoir from which comes then the refreshing bubbling brook when they speak. Wouldn't that being marvelous? Wouldn't you love to have such a reservoir of wisdom residing upon the soul? Such deep waters of wisdom that when you speak, the words that you speak are refreshing bubbling waters that come from a deep reservoir of deep waters. What a wonderful desire.

Notice Proverbs 16:23, "The heart of the wise teaches his mouth." That's a great word. The heart of the wise informs his words. He's careful. The words of a man's mouth are deep waters. He's very careful. Those who are wise know the power of the words and they guard them very carefully. Those who are wise know also the power of pleasant words. Tells us in Proverbs 16:24, "Pleasant words are a honeycomb. They are sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Pleasant words are sweet. Words are powerful. Those who are wise know the power of their words. Those who are not wise do not know, and they're quite clumsy. They say hurtful words, careless words. They do not know, and they're quite clumsy.

Those who are wise know the power of their words, and they know that there is great power in pleasant words. Where do pleasant words come from? It takes great wisdom to know that it comes from deep waters. That which resides beautifully on the soul, God desires to do a beautiful work. The fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5, the Holy Spirit is the presence of the living God in your life, and the fruit of that, the fruit of the presence of God in your life is seen in this. He says, the fruit of the spirit is love.

The deep waters of God's glory, when you abide in that rack of habitation, in the nearness of God, you are dwelling in the God who is love, and love resigning upon the soul is beautiful, and the words that you speak are therefore beautiful. Pleasant words come from deep waters, glorious, wise, and deep waters. The fruit of the spirit is love, but also joy. Joy is the result of God residing upon the soul. The deep waters are joyful waters, and what comes forth is joy and peace. There's a peace that passes understanding, because there are deep waters of glory. It's beautiful, and they speak from that which fills their heart.

There's great power in words, and those who are wise know that there is power in words, and they guard them very carefully. Words can build up, and words can tear down. James 3:5, he says, "The tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire?" That is a great word right there. You can set a whole forest aflame with just a small fire. You can set a life aflame with careless and hurtful words. Those who are wise, it takes great wisdom to understand the power of words, pleasant words that are sweet to the soul, healing to the bones.

A. Pleasant words are sweet to the soul

See pleasant words edify, build up, strengthen, and encourage. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul. Did you know that every gift of the Holy Spirit is for one purpose? Every single gift given to the church, God gives the gifts of the spirit for one purpose, and that is the edification, the building up. Every single spiritual gift is for the purpose of edifying the church. There is no such thing as a spiritual gift of criticism.

There's no such thing as a spiritual gift of anything that tears one down, but what does it say? Colossians 4:6, "Let your speech always be with grace." Always let your speech always be with grace. "Seasoned as though with salt." Salt brings forth the beautiful flavor of food, "So that you'll know how you should respond to each person." You don't know how you want to respond, then let grace inform you always.

Ephesians 4:29, "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth." Words have power, "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth." No, none, nada, nichevo, none, "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth but only such a word as is good for edification." According to the need of the moment so that it will give grace to those who hear. Now, this next verse I want to read to you, I want to give you a warning in advance. Reader alert, strong words are coming.

James 1:26, "If anyone thinks himself to be religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, this man deceives himself, and his religion is worthless." Wow. That is a strong word. Don't you love that God just sometimes kind of slaps you in the face with some really important truths like this one? If a man thinks he's religious but he can't bridle his tongue, he's deceiving himself, and that man's religion is worth nothing. Wow. Words are powerful, and those who are wise know it. They guard them very, very well. For the words of a man's mouth are deep waters.

Luke 6:45, "For the mouth speaks from that which fills the heart." I'll tell you grace is the most important, most powerful thing I know in responding to difficult people in difficult words. Grace is the most powerful thing I know. Grace isn't just right. Grace is power. Grace is wisdom. Oh, if I can only convey the depth of this great truth, if people could only understand the depth of this great truth, it's not just right, it's wisdom itself. Grace is power. That's why he then brings us to this great truth, that the wise rule over their own spirit.

B. The wise rule over their own spirit

Notice Proverbs 25:28, "Like a city that is broken into and without walls, is a man a man who has no control over his own spirit." Now a city that has no walls is easily defeated, and that's the point. The man who has no control over his spirit is easily defeated. The one who has no control over his spirit is also called quick-tempered. Proverbs 14:17, "A quick-tempered man acts foolishly." He's quick-tempered. Temper of course is an emotion.

It's important to know, of course, that God never intended emotions to be the master. To which then we would say, well then master your emotions or your emotions will master you. Master your temper or your temper will master you. They're quick-tempered means their temper flashes quick, because they are easily offended. They don't like the thought. They can't stand the thought of someone speaking or thinking poorly of them. Then if they perceive it, and oftentimes they perceive it wrongly, and they flash into temper, and they say things that they later regret.

See, wisdom predicts the outcome, and temper does not produce good outcome but only hurts. Proverbs 29:11, "A fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back." You hold that back. You check that, but speak grace from deep waters. James says a similar word. The book of James is in many ways a parallel to Proverbs. It's a book of wisdom. James 1:19-20 says, "Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God." Wisdom sees the outcome. What is the outcome of anger? It's not the righteousness of God, that's not going to be achieved.

Not only does the anger of man not we achieve the righteousness of God, it is an ineffective way to live, and it's an ineffective way to love. It is no way to love. A wise man holds it back, because words have power. Anger comes from the flesh, and the flesh is oftentimes the first thing that rises up when the something happens. The flesh is oftentimes the quick thing that rises up first.

For example, you're driving about and someone cuts you off in traffic. It isn't your gracious spirit that rises up first. Bless you brother. You must be in a hurry. Oh please take my lane. No, it's not your gracious spirit that rises up first. It's your flesh that rises up first. I know all about this. I read about it in the book. No. Proverbs gives the answer. Proverbs 16:32, "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty." This is a deep word, "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty." It takes great strength to hold ones spirit back. It takes great strength.

Those who are wise have deep waters, with glory abiding in their soul, and they have, therefore, the power to hold it back to rule over their own spirit. He who is slow to anger is, you might say, greater than the mighty. He who rules his own spirit is greater than he who captures a city. Oh, I wish I could convey the significance of a calm spirit. Oh, if I could write this on your heart if you could only know the significance of a calm spirit, for those who have quick tempers have boxed themselves in and have limited their options.

It's not effective. It does not accomplish God's purpose, it rather stands in the way. If we can only understand the significance of a calm spirit. It says in Proverbs 14:30 that, "A tranquil heart is life to the body." Chapter 15:15, "A cheerful heart as a continual feast." That is a great word right there. He who has a cheerful heart, deep waters of glory abide in his soul. He is the one who has a continual feast. He's blessed. It comes back to him over, and over, and over, as a continual feast.

Delight yourself in the almighty. Delight your soul in that which God is doing. Dwell in the nearness of God, and his glory will transform your heart, and there will be deep waters. The wisdom of God will rest well in your soul, and the words that you speak will be a refreshing bubbling brook from the deep waters of God's wisdom and glory. A tranquil heart, a calm spirit, is life to the body. A cheerful heart has a continual feast of blessings.

Let's pray. Lord, thank you so much for revealing to us such deep truths as these. We desire them. God, we want the wisdom of God to rest well in the soul. God, we say to you, touch the deepest recesses of our heart, even that which no one sees and no one knows. Speak life to the bitterness that has dwelt and hindered for so long. Heal the wounds in the inner man. Speak a better word so that wisdom and glory can delight the soul. Be to us a rock of habitation that we may continually come. Oh God, let the deep waters of glory reside upon us.

Church, how many would say that? How many would have that be your prayer to the Lord today? God, I'm asking. I want the wisdom of God to reside well in my soul. I want the deep waters of your glory. Do that which is beautiful in my soul that when my words come forth, they come from the reservoir of that which you are doing in my life. God, I want my words to be a refreshing, bubbling brook. I want to guard my words. I want to edify the people near to me. Oh God, transform my life. This is my prayer. This is my desire. Do this in me.

Church, is that you? Would you just raise your hand as an expression of that prayer, saying, "God, do this in me." I'm asking that those deep waters would reside of glory in my soul, that the wisdom of God would abide and rest well. God, we love you and honor you for what you're doing in us today, in Jesus' name, and everyone said, amen.

Proverbs 14-16 NASB

14 ¹The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.
²He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord,
But he who is devious in his ways despises Him.
³In the mouth of the foolish is a rod or his back,
But the lips of the wise will protect them.
⁴Where no oxen are, the manger is clean,
But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.
⁵A trustworthy witness will not lie,
But a false witness utters lies.
⁶A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none,
But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding.
⁷Leave the presence of a fool,
Or you will not discern words of knowledge.
⁸The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way,
But the foolishness of fools is deceit.
⁹Fools mock at sin,
But among the upright there is good will.
¹⁰The heart knows its own bitterness,
And a stranger does not share its joy.
¹¹The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
But the tent of the upright will flourish.
¹²There is a way which seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
¹³Even in laughter the heart may be in pain,
And the end of joy may be grief.
¹⁴The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways,
But a good man will be satisfied with his.
¹⁵The naive believes everything,
But the sensible man considers his steps.
¹⁶A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil,
But a fool is arrogant and careless.
¹⁷A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
And a man of evil devices is hated.
¹⁸The naive inherit foolishness,
But the sensible are crowned with knowledge.
¹⁹The evil will bow down before the good,
And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
²⁰The poor is hated even by his neighbor,
But those who love the rich are many.
²¹He who despises his neighbor sins,
But happy is he who is gracious to the poor.
²²Will they not go astray who devise evil?
But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.
²³In all labor there is profit,
But mere talk leads only to poverty.
²⁴The crown of the wise is their riches,
But the folly of fools is foolishness.
²⁵A truthful witness saves lives,
But he who utters lies is treacherous.
²⁶In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And his children will have refuge.
²⁷The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
That one may avoid the snares of death.
²⁸In a multitude of people is a king’s glory,
But in the dearth of people is a prince’s ruin.
²⁹He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.
³⁰A tranquil heart is life to the body,
But passion is rottenness to the bones.
³¹He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker,
But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.
³²The wicked is thrust down by his wrongdoing,
But the righteous has a refuge when he dies.
³³Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding,
But in the hearts of fools it is made known.
³⁴Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a disgrace to any people.
³⁵The king’s favor is toward a servant who acts wisely,
But his anger is toward him who acts shamefully.

15 ¹A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
²The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable,
But the mouth of fools spouts folly.
³The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Watching the evil and the good.
⁴A soothing tongue is a tree of life,
But perversion in it crushes the spirit.
⁵A fool rejects his father’s discipline,
But he who regards reproof is sensible.
⁶Great wealth is in the house of the righteous,
But trouble is in the income of the wicked.
⁷The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
But the hearts of fools are not so.
⁸The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
⁹The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But He loves one who pursues righteousness.
¹⁰Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way;
He who hates reproof will die.
¹¹Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord,
How much more the hearts of men!
¹²A scoffer does not love one who reproves him,
He will not go to the wise.
¹³A joyful heart makes a cheerful face,
But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.
¹⁴The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
¹⁵All the days of the afflicted are bad,
But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
¹⁶Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
¹⁷Better is a dish of vegetables where love is
Than a fattened ox served with hatred.
¹⁸A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But the slow to anger calms a dispute.
¹⁹The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns,
But the path of the upright is a highway.
²⁰A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.
²¹Folly is joy to him who lacks sense,
But a man of understanding walks straight.
²²Without consultation, plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they succeed.
²³A man has joy in an apt answer,
And how delightful is a timely word!
²⁴The path of life leads upward for the wise
That he may keep away from Sheol below.
²⁵The Lord will tear down the house of the proud,
But He will establish the boundary of the widow.
²⁶Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,
But pleasant words are pure.
²⁷He who profits illicitly troubles his own house,
But he who hates bribes will live.
²⁸The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
²⁹The Lord is far from the wicked,
But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
³⁰Bright eyes gladden the heart;
Good news puts fat on the bones.
³¹He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof
Will dwell among the wise.
³²He who neglects discipline despises himself,
But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.
³³The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom,
And before honor comes humility.

16 ¹The plans of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
²All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight,
But the Lord weighs the motives.
³Commit your works to the Lord
And your plans will be established.
⁴The Lord has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked for the day of evil.
⁵Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.
⁶By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for,
And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.
⁷When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
⁸Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income with injustice.
⁹The mind of man plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
¹⁰A divine decision is in the lips of the king;
His mouth should not err in judgment.
¹¹A just balance and scales belong to the Lord;
All the weights of the bag are His concern.
¹²It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts,
For a throne is established on righteousness.
¹³Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And he who speaks right is loved.
¹⁴The fury of a king is like messengers of death,
But a wise man will appease it.
¹⁵In the light of a king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.
¹⁶How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
¹⁷The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;
He who watches his way preserves his life.
¹⁸Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
¹⁹It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly
Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
²⁰He who gives attention to the word will find good,
And blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
²¹The wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
²²Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it,
But the discipline of fools is folly.
²³The heart of the wise instructs his mouth
And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
²⁴Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
²⁵There is a way which seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
²⁶A worker’s appetite works for him,
For his hunger urges him on.
²⁷A worthless man digs up evil,
While his words are like scorching fire.
²⁸A perverse man spreads strife,
And a slanderer separates intimate friends.
²⁹A man of violence entices his neighbor
And leads him in a way that is not good.
³⁰He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things;
He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.
³¹A gray head is a crown of glory;
It is found in the way of righteousness.
³²He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
³³The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the Lord.

El Corazón de los Sabios
Proverbios 14-16
5 y 6 de octubre de 2024

Estamos en la sección de Proverbios donde Salomón muestra la sabiduría como piezas individuales de un tesoro; un tesoro de sabiduría tras otro. Pero una sabiduría valiosa y profunda en un versículo puede no estar necesariamente conectada con un tesoro de sabiduría en el siguiente primero. Para algunos, puede parecer al azar.

Pero como mencioné antes, hay temas que atraviesan el tejido del hermoso tapiz de los Proverbios. Estos temas hablan de la vida en su totalidad, y en estos capítulos en particular, hablan del funcionamiento interno del corazón y de la actitud de la mente. Aquí, Salomón a menudo enfatiza el significado de las palabras que hablas, sabiendo que “La boca habla del buen tesoro que llena el corazón”.

Como vimos la semana pasada, a menudo Salomón compara a los justos con los malvados, y resalta un contraste entre los justos y los malvados. Este es uno de los grandes temas de los Proverbios. Una y otra vez, él establece un contraste entre ellos; los justos y los impíos, los necios y los sabios.

A los malvados los entendemos. Nacen en la fea naturaleza del hombre y continúan en esa condición el resto de sus vidas. Pero, ¿quiénes son los justos? ¿Son perfectos? No, ni uno. Pero sí se deleitan en lo que Dios está haciendo en sus corazones. Saben que nacieron en esa misma fea condición del hombre y que sólo por el poder transformador de Dios serán cambiados.

Esa es la obra de Dios en el hombre interior. Ese es el tema que veremos en estos versículos hoy. Los justos reverencian y honran a Dios. Ese es el comienzo de la sabiduría. El justo se deleita con la hermosa obra que Dios está haciendo en su alma. Los justos se aferran a la sabiduría de Dios y quieren vivir de acuerdo con ella.

Quieren conocer el funcionamiento interno de su corazones para que la sabiduría de Dios y el corazón de Dios pueda transformar sus alma desde adentro.

Vamos a ver estos capítulos de una manera un poco diferente. En lugar de leer versículo por versículo en detalle, lo cual hacemos los miércoles por la noche, captaremos los temas que se entretejen en estos versículos.

El tema principal de estos capítulos es la obra de Dios en el hombre interior. Es lo que podría llamarse Sabiduría más profunda. Nos hace reflexionar profundamente sobre la condición de nuestra alma. Si podemos entender el funcionamiento interno de nuestro corazón y pedirle a Dios que nos muestre lo que necesita ser transformado, podemos aferrarnos a la sabiduría de Dios, y nuestra alma será cambiada, y viviremos y nos moveremos con “El Corazón de los Sabios”.

Por cierto, antes de ver los grandes temas de estos capítulos, quería destacar uno de mis versos favoritos.

Proverbios 14:4, “Donde no hay bueyes, el pesebre está limpio; pero mucho aumento viene por la fuerza de un buey”. En otras palabras, los bueyes son desordenados, dejan ‘pasteles de buey’ en el establo. Los que no gustan de las tartas de buey no tienen bueyes; pero mucha fuerza viene por la fuerza de un buey. En otras palabras, la vida es desordenada y las personas son desordenadas. Si quieres ser productivo y eficaz, debes estar dispuesto a limpiar las ‘tartas de buey.’

I. Los Sabios Meditarán en Su Camino

14:8, “La sabiduría del prudente es entender su camino…”

Una de las verdades profundas de los Proverbios es que debe convertirse en algo personal. Aquellos que son sabios desean conocer el funcionamiento interno de su propio corazón, el motivo detrás de sus deseos y entender su camino.

Algunos nunca se detienen a considerar el funcionamiento interno de su corazón. Nunca se detienen a entender por qué hacen lo que hacen. Pero los sabios buscan comprender; para que Dios pueda ayudar a sanar y fortalecer el alma en su interior.

14:10, “El corazón conoce su propia amargura, y el extraño no comparte su gozo”.

Uno de los puntos de internalización de mi vida fue cuando era un hombre joven al final de mi adolescencia y principios de los 20 años. Estaba enojado y amargado. Estaba amargado en mi corazón debido a las condiciones de mi vida. Me crié en la pobreza y mi padre era un alcohólico iracundo y abusivo. Y no quería que nadie lo supiera. No quería que la gente me juzgara, así que daba la impresión de que todo estaba bien, pero no todo estaba bien. Conocía muy bien mi propia amargura.

Proverbios 14:13 – Nueva Biblia de las Américas

Aun en la risa, el corazón puede tener dolor,

Y el final de la alegría puede ser tristeza.

Muchos conocen mi historia de que todo llegó a un punto crítico en mi cumpleaños número 21 cuando me estaba quejando con Dios sobre mi vida. Dios habló una palabra mejor, y eso me cambió. Dios se convirtió en mi padre.

Pero todavía había mucho trabajo por hacer en mi corazón. Solía sentarme durante horas orando: “Dios, muéstrame mi corazón. Muéstrame la raíz que causó la amargura y háblale vida”. Dios estaba sanando mi corazón.

Dios sanó mi corazón tanto que varios años después, Dios hizo un camino para que me convirtiera en pastor, para que pudiera ser usado por Dios para sanar a otros de su dolor y amargura. Dios incluso me dio el privilegio de guiar a mi padre al Señor y el privilegio de bautizarlo con mis propias manos.

El corazón conoce su propia amargura. Es cierto. Y cuando lo llevas todo al altar, los brazos del Padre se abren de par en par. Jesús te está llamando.

Deja que la sabiduría se asiente bien en tu corazón

14:33, “La sabiduría reposa en el corazón del que tiene entendimiento…”

Se podría decir que la sabiduría se asienta bien, se ha asentado bien en el corazón de aquel que tiene entendimiento. El corazón de aquel que tiene entendimiento se deleita con ello.
El corazón que tiene entendimiento mide todas las cosas por la sabiduría de Dios.
14:12 (y 16:25), “Hay un camino que al hombre le parece derecho, pero su fin es el camino de la muerte”.
Estos son versículos muy importantes. Cualquiera que sea sabio diría: “No quiero hacer lo que me parece correcto, creo que es correcto, pero al final, es el camino de la muerte”. Yo no quiero eso.
¿Qué vas a hacer? ¿Cómo evitar este error de pensar que algo está bien, que a ti te parece bien, pero no está bien, solo te lleva a la muerte?
Respuesta: tú oras. Haces una de las oraciones más importantes que podrías hacer cuando te enfrentas a una dificultad o un enigma y no sabes qué hacer. Has llegado a un punto de decisión, un punto de internalización.

Ustedes oran: “Dios, muéstrame. Señor, dame perspicacia. Dame sabiduría de Tu corazón. No quiero hacer algo solo porque me parece correcto, por favor muéstrame el camino”.

Santiago 1:5, “Si alguno de vosotros tiene falta de sabiduría, pídala a Dios, el cual da a todos generosamente y sin reproche, y se le dará. Pero debe pedir con fe y sin dudar, porque el que duda es como el oleaje del mar, impulsado y zarandeado por el viento. Porque ese hombre no debe esperar que recibirá algo del Señor”.

Los sabios tienen confianza piadosa

14:16: “En el temor de Jehová hay mucha confianza, y sus hijos tendrán refugio”.
Esta es la diferencia. Los que son piadosamente sabios respetan, reverencian y honran a Dios. “El principio de la sabiduría es el temor de Jehová”, leemos en Proverbios 1.
Cuando tienes ese rumbo; cuando verdaderamente respetas y honras a Dios, también tienes fe. Y los que tienen fe tienen confianza piadosa.
Hace toda la diferencia en el mundo saber que Dios está por ti, que nunca te dejará ni te abandonará, que Su favor descansará sobre aquellos que lo honran.

Salmo 71:3, 5, 7, “Sé para mí una roca de habitación a la cual pueda acudir continuamente; Tú has dado el mandamiento de salvarme, porque tú eres mi roca y mi fortaleza… Tú eres mi esperanza; Oh Señor Dios, Tú eres mi confianza desde mi juventud… Me he convertido en una maravilla para muchos; porque Tú eres mi fuerte refugio.

Los sabios piadosos tienen una fuerte confianza porque entienden la importancia de la mano de Dios en sus vidas. Nunca descartes la mano de Dios.
15:19, 24, “La senda de los rectos es una carretera… El camino de la vida conduce hacia arriba para los sabios”.
16:3, “Encomiendan sus obras al Señor, y sus planes serán confirmados”.
16:9, “La mente del hombre planea su camino, pero el Señor dirige sus pasos”.

Salmo 37:23, 31, “Los pasos del hombre son establecidos por el Señor, y Él se deleita en su camino… La palabra de su Dios está en su corazón; Sus pasos no resbalan”.

Los Sabios conocen el Poder de Sus Palabras

Proverbios 18:4 – Nueva Biblia de las Américas

Aguas profundas son las palabras de la boca del hombre; Arroyo que fluye, la fuente de la sabiduría.

Proverbios 10:31, “De la boca del justo brota sabiduría,”
16:23, “El corazón del sabio enseña su boca…”
Los sabios acumulan los tesoros de la sabiduría de Dios en sus corazones. Se convierte en un gran depósito del que fluye la sabiduría. “Las palabras de la boca del hombre son aguas profundas”.

Los sabios conocen el poder de sus palabras y las guardan cuidadosamente.

Las palabras agradables son dulces para el alma

16:24, “Las palabras agradables son como un panal de miel, dulce para el alma y sanador para los huesos”.
Los sabios conocen el poder de sus palabras, y el corazón de los sabios informa su boca y las palabras que hablan. Hay un gran poder en las palabras.
Las palabras pueden construir y las palabras pueden destruir.

Santiago 3:5 – Nueva Biblia de las Américas

5 Así también la lengua es un miembro pequeño, y sin embargo, se jacta de grandes cosas. ¡Pues qué gran bosque se incendia con tan pequeño fuego!

Se necesita una gran sabiduría para entender el poder de las palabras. Las palabras agradables edifican, construyen, fortalecen y animan. Las palabras agradables son un panal de miel, dulces para el alma y sanadoras para los huesos.

Colosenses 4:6, “Que vuestra palabra sea siempre con gracia, sazonada como con sal, para que sepáis cómo debéis responder a cada uno”.

Efesios 4:29, “Ninguna palabra dañina salga de vuestra boca, sino la palabra que sea buena para edificación según la necesidad del momento, a fin de que dé gracia a los que oyen”.

Santiago 1:26 – Nueva Biblia de las Américas

26 Si alguien se cree religioso, pero no refrena su lengua, sino que engaña a su propio corazón, la religión del tal es vana.

Lucas 6:45, “porque de la abundancia del corazón habla su boca”.

Di solamente la palabra que sea buena para edificación, según la necesidad del momento, para que dé gracia a los que oyen.
Da gracia; Trata a las personas mejor de lo que se merecen.
La gracia es lo más poderoso que conozco al responder a las personas difíciles y a las palabras difíciles. La gracia es poder.

Los sabios gobiernan sobre su propio espíritu

Proverbios 25:28, “Como una ciudad asaltada y sin murallas es el hombre que no tiene dominio sobre su espíritu”.
Al que no tiene control sobre su espíritu también se le llama ‘iracundo’. Se enfada rápidamente, como un relámpago. ¿Por qué? A menudo es porque se ofende fácilmente. Se toman las cosas como algo personal. No soportan la idea de que alguien hable o piense mal de ellos.
La sabiduría de Dios dice que debes gobernar sobre tu propio espíritu…
14:17: “El hombre de mal genio actúa insensatamente”.

Proverbios 29:11, “El necio siempre pierde los estribos, pero el sabio lo contiene”.

Proverbios 15:18, “El hombre de mal genio enciende la ira, pero el lento para la ira pacta la contienda”.

Santiago dice una palabra similar…

Santiago 1:19-20, “Que todos sean prontos para oír, lentos para hablar y lentos para la ira; porque la ira del hombre no alcanza la justicia de Dios”.

La ira del hombre no solo no logra la justicia de Dios, sino que también es una forma ineficaz de vivir o de amar.
La ira del hombre viene de la carne. A menudo es la carne la que se levanta primero…

Ilustración – Cuando alguien te corta el paso en el tráfico, no es tu espíritu de gracia el que se eleva dentro de ti… diciendo: “Bendito seas, hermano, debes tener prisa, aquí, por favor, toma mi carril”. No, es la carne la que se levanta primero. Leí sobre esto en un libro.

Proverbios también da la respuesta…
Proverbios 16:32 – Nueva Biblia de las Américas

32 Mejor es el lento para la ira que el poderoso, y el que domina su espíritu que el que toma una ciudad.

Desearía poder transmitir realmente la importancia de un espíritu tranquilo. Aquellos que son iracundos se han encerrado y han limitado sus opciones. No es efectivo. Obstaculiza el cumplimiento del propósito de Dios.
14:30: “Un corazón tranquilo es vida para el cuerpo”.
15:15, “El corazón alegre tiene fiesta continua…”
Deléitate en el Todopoderoso. Deleita tu alma en lo que Dios está haciendo y habita en la cercanía de Dios y su gloria transformará tu corazón. Un corazón tranquilo es vida para el cuerpo. Un corazón alegre tiene un banquete continuo…”

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