Monday, February 25, 2013

Proverbs 12:12-18 Brush it off!

There are so many gems hidden in this chapter, but I’m going to just pull out two this morning, that seem related:

A fool shows his annoyance at once,

    but a prudent man overlooks an insult... 
Reckless words pierce like a sword,

    but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:16,18)

Impulsiveness may be a fun thing once in a while, when you step out and do something daring - doing a random act of kindness on a whim, cutting your hair by several inches, or buying a dress that is totally different from anything you’ve ever worn. But impulsive behavior is never a good idea when tied to anger. Verse 16 teaches us that a wise man knows when to control himself. He overlooks the insult of another, rather than trying to answer back. Instead of decking someone who insults you, this verse tells us to brush it off! Get over it - and get over yourself! A quick fuse will just land you in trouble!

And the hardest part is keeping your mouth shut at such a time! My best friend in high school and I were very sarcastic and we were constantly looking for a “snappy comeback.” When someone has insulted you, you just yearn for the right words to put him in his place. Don’t do it! Resist the urge! So much is at stake - especially your witness for Christ! Insults usually come from a heart of insecurity or jealousy, so think how much better it would be to answer an insult with kindness instead! Such words could definitely bring healing and blessing to the hearer as well as the speaker.

The fool is reckless! He acts on his impulses and serves up piercing words at exactly the wrong time. If someone insults you, look beyond the action to the insecure heart that produced the insult. Let the words fall off your back! That’s what Christ did - and it’s what He wants us to do! We don’t need to rush in and defend ourselves. He is our defense. Choose to speak a blessing instead!  


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