I put in bold some verses that speak about strife. Strife is a heart issue. It originates with the bitter roots of pride, jealousy, hatred, unforgiveness etc. Strife causes us so much trouble, but often we don't see it coming in time to stop the destruction to relationships and the resulting pain in the soul. As we grow as a church (in people and in ministry) we have to be able to identify the bad fruit of bitter roots in our own hearts. We want to be a safe spiritual family. We also have to confront strife and practice the Biblical principles of correction and submission to each other. I really believe that the churches that will see the biggest harvest in these uncertain days are the ones that value unity enough to protect it (see early church in Acts). My heart needs these verses. I want my family (Emily, Benjamin, Susanna) and my spiritual family to enjoy great success and peace. Not one without the other (see verse 1).
Proverbs 17 (New King James Version)
1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers.
3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts.
4 An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.
5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
6 Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.
7 Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince.
8 A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.
10 Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.
15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
16 Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it?
17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend.
19 He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.
20 He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.
21 He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.
22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.
23 A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice.
24 Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him.
26 Also, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to strike princes for their uprightness.
27 He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.
28 Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.
Proverbs 16 (New King James Version)
1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits.
3 Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.
4 The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.
5 Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.
6 In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
It is hard not to focus on the enemies we can see and hear. God wants us to trust Him and have His vision for our lives. He is more than able to take care of our enemies! This is a heart issue of course. The fear of man is believing that a person has the power to stop God's will for my life. The only person who can halt God's purpose for me is me. I see our hearts getting healthier every day through these amazing chapters. I am going to keep examining as I read the rest of these verses.
Keep the comments coming. I love reading about what God is saying to us through His Word!
8 Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice.
9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
10 Divination is on the lips of the king; His mouth must not transgress in judgment.
11 Honest weights and scales are the LORD’s; All the weights in the bag are His work.
12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks what is right.
14 As messengers of death is the king’s wrath, But a wise man will appease it.
15 In the light of the king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.
21 The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
26 The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on.
27 An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire.
28 A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good.
30 He winks his eye to devise perverse things; He purses his lips and brings about evil.
31 The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness.
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.