RTW May 31
Be At Home
If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.
Proverbs 15:31
My Takeaways
Something Old
Constructive: helping to improve; promoting further development or advancement
Criticism: the act of passing judgment as to the merits of anything
Something New
The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. Proverbs 15:1
Another verse about my mouth.
Something to Do
Be at home among the wise.
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My Takeaways: I definitely noticed Wendy’s passion for this lesson. Great job Wendy, something I needed to hear. I read 101 proverbs today, wow! Many words of wisdom to put into practice.
Something Old: “The godly think before speaking… From a wise mind comes wise speech… A gentle answer turns away wrath…” (15:1, 28; 16:23). I never argue in a whisper. Gentle answers can eliminate unnecessary arguing. Everything that I think does not need to be said outloud. Words are powerful. I can cause people to be happy and proud with my words or I can cause people to feel sad and depressed with my words. My words are very powerful. If I would practice speaking only those things that are kind, true, and necessary my words would give grace to those who hear them. “Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it…” (16:22).Perhaps the best use for my words is to only say to others what I would want others to say to me. So what will it be? The choice is mine. I can welcome God’s wisdom or I can rely on my own foolishness.
Something New: Proverbs 14:4 “Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.” This is a wise truth that can be applied to just about anything. I was thinking about children. Some people desire not to have children, because of the expense, time and trouble they may cause while raising them. But when raised correctly-working hard with all the resources I have to pour into them I can’t begin to count the limitless blessings they provide. This can be applied to the Christian Life as well. A Bible is a great tool, but not when it sits on a shelf collecting dust, it becomes worthless. When I read it, learn from it, live through it, and love it enough to obey it – what a harvest it will bring. Great tools pay great dividends.
Something To Do: Be wise in my work and financial matters. Have the courage to be consistently honest and fair with my words and actions.
Today’s lesson revealed to me that I really don’t have anyone in my life to provide me with constructive criticism – I haven’t wanted anyone to do that until now – but as Wendy/Linda’s testimony reveals, it is such a good thing to refine and shape us! I desire this so am praying for it!
Proverbs 14:12 & 16:25: “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” This is one of my go-to verses these past few months as I come out of the “church” I was a part of … Their way “seemed” right – preaching grace without repentance and making up their own version of God that didn’t include wrath/judgment – but it was leading me and others to death.
Conviction: 14:22 and 15:26 – What is the condition of my heart? My thoughts? If I plan to do evil, I will be lost; evil plans are an abomination to the Lord. I don’t want my thoughts to be an abomination to Him.