Verses 17-20, 22 talk mostly about words so I would like to focus most of our time on discussing the topics regarding what we say.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own opinion, but the one who listens to advice is wise.

Already kinda covered verse 15 last week.  However, I don’t remember talking very much about that first line.  I just want to point out what that first phrase is saying (The way of the fools is right in his own opinion). In other words, a fool will think he is right.  The opposite would be to say a wise man will know he doesn’t know everything.  I think this is a fascinating concept. Often in a discussion, the people talking the most and the loudest are really the least knowledgeable about what they are arguing about.  The wisest people I know are consistently up front about what they don’t know.   This is something I want to grow more in, but I hope in my teaching Sunday School class, you have consistently heard me say, this is what I think, or this is how it looks to me, instead of being dogmatic and saying THIS IS HOW IT IS!

16 A fool’s annoyance is known at once, but the prudent overlooks an insult.

This is interesting to me because I keep trying to teach Ian that control of his own emotions and responses is something he needs to learn. He just may not punch Kedrick whenever he loses his temper.  Control of your emotions is a major task of adulthood. Uncontrolled people that go into adulthood and responsibility are terrifying loose cannons. I want to say this respectfully, but one need look no farther than our president for an example.

17 The faithful witness tells what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.

I’m not sure if I even know what v 17 is saying. ESV and KJV sound pretty different on the first phrase, but I think are actually saying almost the same thing.  So it’s just saying a false witness will tell the truth and a false witness with deceive you (?!).  I’m confused about the significance of that. Isn’t that the definition of a false witness–one that speaks deceit?

18 Speaking recklessly is like the thrusts of a sword, but the words of the wise bring healing.

I think probably all of us have been the victim of a reckless tongue.  No doubt it was quite destructive!  Maybe some of you still feel the pain from words a parent or close acquaintance spoke to you years ago.  But isn’t the challenge to remember the destruction we can cause when we are on the giving end of the tongue? Many of us are fathers and leaders and I think have extra responsibility to be thoughtful in our words. The second half of the verse explains how the wise brings healing through what he says. That is the challenge for us. We can destroy or heal with our words. V25 is another way of phrasing that.  I don’t get to see my boss that often because of the nature of my job.  Recently, she gave me public recognition at a staff meeting and it was just amazing how encouraging it was for me to get some praise from her.

Can you relate stories of being pierced with reckless words?

Can you give examples of how a wise word brought healing to you?

What are your strategies for watching your words?

Do you find it a challenge as a father/leader to consistently build up instead of tearing down?

Eph 4:14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

This verse shows that we need people who can use constructive words for the body of Christ to become mature.

19 The one who tells the truth will endure forever, but the one who lies will last only for a moment.

What is v 19 saying? Is this just a statement that lying will destroy you? If so, what are the implications? Obviously, as pious Matthew 5 believers, we value honesty pretty highly.  But do we love it? Do we actually hate lying like God does?  V 22 fits well here: The Lord abhors a person who lies, but those who deal truthfully are his delight.

What is it about lying that God hates? Why do you think he delights in those who deal truthfully?

What does it look like to deal truthfully? That seems so much deeper than just not ever telling a lie.

27 The lazy person does not roast his prey, but personal possessions are precious to the diligent.

Obviously you can apply this directly–if you go hunting, better make SURE you get that deer to the butcher’s or you are lazy. But I think the verse is really making a statement about the character of the lazy and the diligent.

Why would the lazy person not roast his game?

Why would the diligent care about his possessions?

How do you teach this to your children?