Proverbs 13

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You may have noticed that the structure of Proverbs changes after the first nine chapters. Beginning with Chapter 10, Proverbs is made up of collections of individual sayings that are not necessarily connected by an overall theme. Most of the Proverbs are in the form of couplets, many of which express a contrast.

This was a very common form in the ancient world. A proverb was a concise, creative (often figurative), memorable statement that expressed a truth about human behavior. It is important to remember that a proverb states what is generally true in life. It is not a promise or a prophecy.

All that being said, these statements are valuable and applicable in our lives. We can often see ourselves in some point of each chapter. The verse that struck me most as I read chapter 13 was verse 3:

“He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.”

I admit it- I’m a talker. It’s both a strength and a weakness. I come by it honestly. My dad could really spin the yarn. People come from miles around to hear my aunt (my dad’s sister) perform the art of southern storytelling. Among my siblings there are two preachers, two teachers, a lawyer, and a salesman. My poor mom could never get a word in edgewise.

So this is particularly hard for me, but sometimes the wisest thing I can do is refrain from speaking.  (Ecclesiastes 3:7; James 1:19)  Some of these times are:

When I am tempted to add my two cents to a juicy conversation to prove I have the inside scoop.
 
When I am tempted to a present a rebuttal to my wife rather than simply absorb the frustration she needed to express.
 
When I am tempted make a promise I will probably be unable to fulfill.
 
When I am tempted to exaggerate.
 
When I am tempted to complain.

Sometimes the wisest thing I can do is refrain from speaking. Ouch!

What did you hear God say to you as you read chapter 13?

Blessings,

John Tanner