Proverbs – Life Skills
As public school teachers, we are trained to rid our classrooms of talk that hurts others. We work hard to lose the sarcasm, manipulation, bribery and others forms of communication that do not contribute to the molding of a student’s behavior. We make conscious efforts to model respect and dignity with the mantra of “treat others they way you want to be treated”. (I often added, “treat others better…”.) When we do anything but this kind of training, the classroom becomes an unsafe place where bullies gain control and others feel defeated.
To have a safe, loving environment is the goal of great teachers. It means everything to the learning process.This is a form of wisdom. Our manner of relating to each other can bring life and refreshment to the heart and souls of others…or not. Our words, along with our attitude and body language, can give life and encouragement or destruction and chaos to the human soul.
Where does this wisdom come from for our lives? Jesus. Jesus is Wisdom. Our Master Teacher, Jesus, taught his disciples then and His followers now to “Love God. Love others they way I have loved you”. To really love others like Jesus unconditionally loves us changes they way we think, the words we say and the life we display each day.
I would agree with Solomon, our words are a matter of life or death.
“Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach;
good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest.
Words kill, words give life;
they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.”
Proverb 18, The MessageLoners who care only for themselves
spit on the common good.
2 Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse;
all they do is run off at the mouth.
3 When wickedness arrives, shame’s not far behind;
contempt for life is contemptible.
4 Many words rush along like rivers in flood,
but deep wisdom flows up from artesian springs.
5 It’s not right to go easy on the guilty,
or come down hard on the innocent.
6 The words of a fool start fights; do him a favor and gag him.
7 Fools are undone by their big mouths;
their souls are crushed by their words.
8 Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy;
do you really want junk like that in your belly?
9 Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism.
10 God’s name is a place of protection—
good people can run there and be safe.
11 The rich think their wealth protects them;
they imagine themselves safe behind it.
12 Pride first, then the crash,
but humility is precursor to honor.
13 Answering before listening
is both stupid and rude.
14 A healthy spirit conquers adversity,
but what can you do when the spirit is crushed?
15 Wise men and women are always learning,
always listening for fresh insights.
16 A gift gets attention;
it buys the attention of eminent people.
17 The first speech in a court case is always convincing—
until the cross-examination starts!
18 You may have to draw straws
when faced with a tough decision.
19 Do a favor and win a friend forever;
nothing can untie that bond.
20 Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach; good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest.
21 Words kill, words give life;
they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.
22 Find a good spouse, you find a good life—
and even more: the favor of God!
23 The poor speak in soft supplications;
the rich bark out answers.
24 Friends come and friends go,
but a true friend sticks by you like family.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Our words. Lord, help us to think before we speak. Help us to listen to others, really listen, before thinking of a response. Help us reduce the amount of our words altogether. Less said is less spread in gossip. The evil one uses our words said in haste as fuel for angry fires. Help us to avoid sarcasm and whining and replace our talk with words that give life and encouragement. The world needs life-giving words–Your words from YOUR WORD! Help us to think often of whatever is true, noble, praiseworthy, as Paul writes so our words that tumble out from our lips give life.
In Jesus Name, Amen
