Read Proverbs 17
I read Proverbs 17 from the New Living Translation, Amplified Classic, and King James.
My thoughts on Proverbs 17:
Seek peace over conflict.
The Lord tests the heart. He knows our motives. Trieth - bâchan, to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate:—examine, prove, tempt, try (trial) (Strong's H974) Biblical usage of this word gives us a clearer understanding of it's meaning: to examine, scrutinize; to test, prove, try (of gold, persons, the heart, man of God: o be tried, proved; to make a trial (Strong's H974)
Avoid being a part of gossip and slander. It's important to guard what we listen to and the words we speak. We can't be a part of every conversation. However, we can diffuse negative words with life-giving words whenever we have the opportunity.
Keep your heart tender to those with less than you. Someone else's misfortune should not be a time of rejoicing. And, yes, that includes our enemies! Remember, the Word says, "You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy; But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, To show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike]. For if you love those who love you, what reward can you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that?" (Matthew 5:43-46 AMPC)
Don't repay good with evil. You reap what you sow. "Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life." (Galatians 6:7-8 MSG)
Avoid starting arguments. Sometimes it's best to take a moment, a day, some time to get your emotions under control and calm down. Addressing a matter when calm and without being emotional can get better results.
Be honest and a person of integrity. Don't side with the guilty at the expense of the innocent.
Be a loyal, helpful, and wise friend.
Don't cosign loans for someone. "Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else. If you can’t pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you." (Proverbs 22:26-27 NLT)
A merry. cheerful, heart is good medicine, providing health and healing to us! Merry - sâmêach, blithe or gleeful:—(be) glad, joyful, (making) merry((-hearted), -ily), rejoice(-ing) (Strong's H1456) Medicine - gêhâh, a cure:—medicine (Strong's H1456)
A broken spirit saps your strength, leaving you tired. Broken - nâkêʼ, afflicted:—broken, stricken, wounded (Strong's H5218)
Sensible, perceptive, understanding, and skillful people keep your eyes glued on wisdom.
Wisdom governs the use of our words and allows us to be even tempered. Always remember the power of your words. "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." (Proverbs 18:20-21 MSG) "Bridle your anger, trash your wrath, cool your pipes—it only makes things worse." (Psalm 37:8 MSG)
The verse that spoke to me:
"He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends." (Proverbs 17:9 AMPC)
My takeaway:
Love covers. Love covers offenses. Love defends. Love forgives.
Cover - To hide; to conceal by something overspread; To conceal from notice or punishment; To conceal; to refrain from disclosing or confessing; To pardon or remit; To shelter; to protect; to defend; To include, embrace or comprehend (Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary)
When we love we try to see from God's perspective and not from our pain, disappointment, or hurt we cover and express love.
"Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]." (1 Peter 4:8 AMPC)
Jesus covered, atoning for our sins, concealing us from the punishment for them in His blood on the cross.
"For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness]." (2 Corinthians 5:21 AMPC)
"And He [that same Jesus Himself] is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins, and not for ours alone but also for [the sins of] the whole world." (1 John 2:2 AMPC)
He took on our sins, sheltering, protecting, and pardoning us for our sins. Shouldn't we use His example and cover, shelter, protect, defend others for their offenses?
Today's faith confession is personalizing 1 Corinthian 13:4-8a AMP. I invite you to read this daily so you can grow in, act in, and be more aware of love and loving others.
FAITH CONFESSION:
"(YOUR NAME) love endures with patience and serenity, (YOUR NAME) love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; (YOUR NAME) love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. (YOUR NAME) love is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; (YOUR NAME) love does not take into account a wrong endured. (YOUR NAME) love does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. (YOUR NAME) love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. (YOUR NAME) love never fails [it never fades nor ends].” (Personalized 1st Corinthians 13:4-8a AMP)
Lord, let Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven, through me.
Share in the comments what verse spoke to you and why. Let's grow in wisdom together.
Be Encouraged! ❤
I chose Proverbs 17:27 (AMP). He who has knowledge restrains and is careful with his words, and a man of understanding and wisdom has a cool spirit ( self-control, an even temper). This verse reminds me so much of my husband. Sometimes I can get out of sorts, but he has always been so even tempered all of our 50 years of marriage. He was much more mature when we got married, and if I would get upset about something, I would tend to slam cabinet doors, and bang the kettles in the kitchen. He would pretty much ignore my little temper tantrums, and it wasn’t long before I learned how to act like a mature married woman instea…
Verse 13 stood out to me:
“If you repay evil for good, evil will never leave your household.”
Wow, that’s a scary thought! It makes sense, when you consider that we reap what we sow. But the thought for evil to never leave your household is overwhelming and very sobering to me.
Proverbs 17:18
"It's poor judgment to guarantee another person's debt or put up security for a friend."
My Takeaway:
My parents always told me never loan what you can't afford to give away. As many times as I've read the book of Proverbs, I do not remember this scripture. I was also told not to co-sign for someone because you will end up stuck with yhe debt, but I guess I never thought that something such as this was important enough for God to add to the blueprint of our lives. He is absolutely amazing! The more I read and meditate, the more He reveals.