Think About What You Are Doing

Proverbs 17:13-22

“Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.” (Proverbs 17:13)

Exactly what it says, that a person who does those who are trying to help hi dirty will never get relief from constant trouble or emotional stress. 

“The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.” (Proverbs 17:14)

The start of a fight is similar to relieving one’s bowels, in that once it is started it is difficult to stop until it is finished.  It is a lot easier to stop before it starts.

“He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.” (Proverbs 17:15)

God is totally disgusted and repelled by people who excuse or cover for and help the wicked to get by with their crimes.  He is equally upset by those who falsely accuse innocent people.  The recent furor protests over the killing of Michael Brown and others accentuates serious problems in our entire justice system.  Lawyers, parents, and civil rights advocates who ignore or excuse crimes and try to protect them from the consequences are accessories to the crime, even if it is considered their job.  At the same time, prosecutors, investigators, and news media who wrongly charge or convict innocent people are guilty of crimes themselves.  Both groups will face God’s judgment. 

“Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?” (Proverbs 17:16)

Many parentas have learned the hard way that it is a waste of time and money to pay for an education for a person who isn’t interested in learning, and many schools and educational institutions are monuments to the truth of this statement.  Unless and interest can be developed. There is no use trying to teach. 

“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)

A true friend is not fickle.  They don’t forget about you because your situation has changed, and adversity draws a real family closer together. 

“A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.” (Proverbs 17:18)

A person who agrees to cosign for a loan to a friend or promises to pay his bill without proper legal precautions is being stupid, allowing his emotions to override his intelligence.  While he may be honest and intend to pay it off, if something happens to him, his heirs may not honor his commitment, leaving one without recourse. 

“He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.” (Proverbs 17:19)

A person who loves fighting and constantly tries to stir up fights loves wrong doing.  It gives him and excuse to fight, either to defend himself, or to attack somebody else.  A person who tries to set himself above others is asking for trouble.  He offends those he tries to climb over. 

“He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.” (Proverbs 17:20)

A person with a rebellious attitude is never happy, and is constantly in trouble.  A person who will not control his tongue gets himself into trouble by what he says.

“He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.” (Proverbs 17:21)

Parents of a fool never get to enjoy having him as a child.  They spend all their effort trying to get him out of trouble or apologizing for what he has done.

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)

A joyful attitude makes everyone around feel better, but a gloomy depressed attitude makes everybody miserable. 

“A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.” (Proverbs 17:23)

A wicked person doesn’t care about what is right, but only about winning, so he will try to bribe people to get his way.

“Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.” (Proverbs 17:24)

A person who thinks things through can see the obvious problems in front of him, but the fool is so focused on the things in the distance, his own objectives, that he can’t see what is right in front of him.

“A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.” (Proverbs 17:25)

A foolish child is a constant emotional and financial drain on his father, a nd an embarrassment and source of regret to his mother. 

“Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.” (Proverbs 17:20)

It is not good to punish the innocent for what the wicked have done, or to take away from those who have more to produce equity with those who have less.  It takes away the incentive to do better or to try.  Socialism is counter productive.

“He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.  Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” (Proverbs 17:27-28)

People that know what they are talking about know when to shut up, and have a good attitude.  Fools never know when to shut up, and have lousy attitudes.    If a person is smart enough to shut up, people will think he knows what he is talking about, even if he doesn’t.  If he talks too much, people will figure out he doesn’t know what he is talking about.    As the saying goes, It is better to be quiet and have people think you don’t know than to talk too much and remove any doubt.