Proverbs 14-16 The Heart of the Wise

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The Heart of the Wise
Proverbs 14-16
October 5-6, 2024

We are in the section of Proverbs where Solomon gives wisdom as individual pieces of treasure; one treasure of wisdom after the other. But a valuable and deep wisdom in one verse may not necessarily be connected to a treasure of wisdom in the next first. To some, it may appear to be random.

But as I mentioned before, there are themes that run through the fabric of the beautiful tapestry of the Proverbs. These themes speak to the whole of life, and in these chapters in particular, they speak to the inner workings of the heart and the attitude of the mind. Here, Solomon oftentimes emphasizes the significance of the words that you speak, knowing that “the mouth speaks out of the good treasure that fills the heart.”

As we saw last week, he often compares the righteous to the wicked. It’s one of the great themes of the Proverbs. Over and over, he draws a contrast between them; the righteous and the wicked – the foolish and the wise.

The wicked we understand. They are born in the ugly nature of man and continue in that condition the rest of their lives. But who are the righteous? Are they perfect? No, not one. But they do delight in that which God is doing in their heart. They know they were born in that same ugly condition of man and that it is only by the transforming power of God will they be changed.

That is the work of God in the inner man. That is the theme we will see in these verses today. The righteous revere and honor God. That is the beginning of wisdom. They delight in the beautiful work that God is doing in their soul. They take hold of God’s wisdom and want to live by it.

They want to know the inner workings of their heart so that God’s wisdom and God’s heart can transform their soul from within.

We’re going to look at these chapters a bit differently. Instead of reading verse by verse in detail, which we do on Wednesday evenings, we will capture the themes that are woven into these verses.

The main theme of these chapters is the work of God in the inner man. It’s what could be called deeper wisdom. It causes us to ponder the condition of our soul deeply. If we can understand the inner workings of our heart and ask God to show us what needs to be transformed, we can take hold of God’s wisdom, and our soul will be changed, and we will live and move with “The Heart of the Wise.”

By the way, before we look at the great themes of these chapters, I wanted to highlight one of my favorite verses… Proverbs 14:4, “Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean; but much increase comes by the strength of an ox.” In other words, oxen are messy, they leave ox pies in the stall. Those who don’t like ox pies don’t have oxen; but much strength comes by the strength of an ox. In other words, life is messy, and people are messy; if you want to be productive and effective, be willing to clean ox pies.

I. The Wise will Ponder their Way

14:8, “The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way…”
One of the deep truths of the Proverbs is that it must become personal. Those who are wise desire to know the inner workings of their heart, the motive behind their desires and to understand his way.
Some never stop to consider the inner working of their heart. They never stop to understand why they do what they do. But the wise seek to understand; so that God can help heal and strengthen the soul within…
14:10, “The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy.”

Illus – One of the turning points of my life was when I was a young man in my late teens and early 20s. I was angry and bitter. I was bitter in my heart because of the conditions of my life. I was raised in poverty and my father was an angry and abusive alcoholic. And I didn’t want anyone to know it. I didn’t want people to judge me, so I gave the impression that all was well, but all was not well. I knew my own bitterness very well.

14:13, “Even in laughter the heart may be in pain…”

Many know my story that it all came to a head on my 21^st birthday when I was complaining to God about my life. God spoke a better word, and it changed me. He became my father.

But there was still much work to do in my heart. I used to sit for hours praying, “God, show me my heart. Show me the root that caused the bitterness and speak life to it.” God was healing my heart.

God healed my heart so much that several years later, God made a way for me to become a pastor, that I could be used of God to heal others of their pain and bitterness. God even gave me the privilege of leading my father to the Lord and the privilege of baptizing him with my own hands.

The heart knows its own bitterness. That’s true. And when you bring it all to the altar, the Father’s arms are open wide. Jesus is calling.

A. Let wisdom settle well in your heart

14:33, “Wisdom rests in the heart of the one who has understanding…”
You might say that wisdom rests well, it has settled well in the heart of the one who has understanding. He delights in it.
He measures all things by the wisdom of God.
14:12 (and 16:25), “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
These are very important verses. Anyone who is wise would say, “I don’t want to do that which seems right to me, I think it’s right, but in the end, it is the way of death.” I don’t want that.
What are you to do? How do you avoid this error of thinking that something is right, that it seems right to you, but it isn’t right, it only leads to death?

Answer: you pray. You pray one of the most important prayers you could ever pray when you face a difficulty, or a conundrum and you don’t know what to do. You’ve come to a decision point, a turning point.
You pray, “God, show me. Lord, give me insight. Give be wisdom from Your heart. I don’t want to do something just because it seems right to me, please show me the way.”

James 1:5, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord.

B. The wise have godly confidence

14:16, “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and his children will have refuge.”
This is the difference. Those who are godly wise respect, revere, and honor God. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” we read in Proverbs 1.
When you have that bearing; when you truly respect and honor God, you also have faith. And those who have faith have godly confidence.
It makes all the difference in the world to know that God is for you, that He will never leave you nor forsake you, that His favor will rest upon those who honor Him.

Psalm 71:3, 5, 7, Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come; You have given commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress…You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my confidence from my youth…I have become a marvel to many; for You are my strong refuge.

The godly wise have strong confidence because they understand the significance of the hand of God in their lives. Never discount the hand of God.
15:19, 24, “The path of the upright is a highway… The path of life leads upward for the wise.”
16:3, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
16:9, “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

Psalm 37:23, 31, The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way… The word of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.

II. The Wise know the Power of Their Words

Proverbs 18:4, “The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters, the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook…”
Proverbs 10:31, “The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom…”
16:23, “The heart of the wise teaches his mouth…”
Those who are wise store up the treasures of God’s wisdom in their hearts. It becomes a great reservoir from which wisdom flows. “The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters.”
Those who are wise know the power of their words and guard them carefully.

A. Pleasant words are sweet to the soul

16:24, “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Those who are wise know the power of their words, and the heart of the wise informs their mouth and the words they speak. There is great power in words.
Words can build up and words can tear down.

James 3: The tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!

It takes great wisdom to understand the power of words. Pleasant words edify, build up, strengthen and encourage. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Colossians 4:6, Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned as though with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

Ephesians 4:29, Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

James 1:26, If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his own heart. This man’s religion is worthless.

Luke 6:45, “The mouth speaks from that which fills the heart.”

Speak only such a word as is good for edification, according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Give grace; treat people better than they deserve.
Grace is the most powerful thing I know in responding to difficult people and difficult words. Grace is power.

B. The wise rule over their own spirit

Proverbs 25:28, “Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit.”
The one who has no control over his spirit is also called quick-tempered. They get angry quickly, like a flash. Why? Oftentimes it’s because they’re easily offended. They take things personally. They can’t stand the idea of someone speaking or thinking poorly of them.
God’s wisdom says that you must rule over your own spirit…
14:17, “A quick-tempered man acts foolishly.”

Proverbs 29:11, A fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back.

15:18, “A hot tempered man stirs up anger, but the slow to anger pacifies contention.”
James says a similar word…

James 1:19-20, Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

Not only does the anger of man not achieve the righteousness of God, but it is also an ineffective way to live or to love.
The anger of man comes from the flesh. It’s often the flesh that rises up first…

Illus – When someone cuts you off in traffic, it isn’t your gracious spirit that rises up within you… saying, “Bless you, brother, you must be in a hurry, here, please, take my lane.” No, it’s the flesh that rises up first. I read about this in a book.

Proverbs also gives the answer…
16:32, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; he who rules his spirit is better than he who captures a city.”
I wish I could truly convey the significance of a calm spirit. Those who are quick-tempered have boxed themselves in and limited their options. It’s not effective. It hinders the accomplishing of God’s purpose.
14:30, “A tranquil heart is life to the body.”
15:15, “A cheerful heart has a continual feast…”
Delight yourself in the Almighty. Delight your soul in that which God is doing and dwell in the nearness of God and his glory will transform your heart. A tranquil heart is life to the body. A cheerful heart has a continual feast…”

Proverbs 14-16 NASB

14 ¹The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.
²He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord,
But he who is devious in his ways despises Him.
³In the mouth of the foolish is a rod or his back,
But the lips of the wise will protect them.
⁴Where no oxen are, the manger is clean,
But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.
⁵A trustworthy witness will not lie,
But a false witness utters lies.
⁶A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none,
But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding.
⁷Leave the presence of a fool,
Or you will not discern words of knowledge.
⁸The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way,
But the foolishness of fools is deceit.
⁹Fools mock at sin,
But among the upright there is good will.
¹⁰The heart knows its own bitterness,
And a stranger does not share its joy.
¹¹The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
But the tent of the upright will flourish.
¹²There is a way which seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
¹³Even in laughter the heart may be in pain,
And the end of joy may be grief.
¹⁴The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways,
But a good man will be satisfied with his.
¹⁵The naive believes everything,
But the sensible man considers his steps.
¹⁶A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil,
But a fool is arrogant and careless.
¹⁷A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
And a man of evil devices is hated.
¹⁸The naive inherit foolishness,
But the sensible are crowned with knowledge.
¹⁹The evil will bow down before the good,
And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
²⁰The poor is hated even by his neighbor,
But those who love the rich are many.
²¹He who despises his neighbor sins,
But happy is he who is gracious to the poor.
²²Will they not go astray who devise evil?
But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.
²³In all labor there is profit,
But mere talk leads only to poverty.
²⁴The crown of the wise is their riches,
But the folly of fools is foolishness.
²⁵A truthful witness saves lives,
But he who utters lies is treacherous.
²⁶In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And his children will have refuge.
²⁷The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
That one may avoid the snares of death.
²⁸In a multitude of people is a king’s glory,
But in the dearth of people is a prince’s ruin.
²⁹He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.
³⁰A tranquil heart is life to the body,
But passion is rottenness to the bones.
³¹He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker,
But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.
³²The wicked is thrust down by his wrongdoing,
But the righteous has a refuge when he dies.
³³Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding,
But in the hearts of fools it is made known.
³⁴Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a disgrace to any people.
³⁵The king’s favor is toward a servant who acts wisely,
But his anger is toward him who acts shamefully.

15 ¹A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
²The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable,
But the mouth of fools spouts folly.
³The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Watching the evil and the good.
⁴A soothing tongue is a tree of life,
But perversion in it crushes the spirit.
⁵A fool rejects his father’s discipline,
But he who regards reproof is sensible.
⁶Great wealth is in the house of the righteous,
But trouble is in the income of the wicked.
⁷The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
But the hearts of fools are not so.
⁸The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
⁹The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But He loves one who pursues righteousness.
¹⁰Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way;
He who hates reproof will die.
¹¹Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord,
How much more the hearts of men!
¹²A scoffer does not love one who reproves him,
He will not go to the wise.
¹³A joyful heart makes a cheerful face,
But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.
¹⁴The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
¹⁵All the days of the afflicted are bad,
But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
¹⁶Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
¹⁷Better is a dish of vegetables where love is
Than a fattened ox served with hatred.
¹⁸A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But the slow to anger calms a dispute.
¹⁹The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns,
But the path of the upright is a highway.
²⁰A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.
²¹Folly is joy to him who lacks sense,
But a man of understanding walks straight.
²²Without consultation, plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they succeed.
²³A man has joy in an apt answer,
And how delightful is a timely word!
²⁴The path of life leads upward for the wise
That he may keep away from Sheol below.
²⁵The Lord will tear down the house of the proud,
But He will establish the boundary of the widow.
²⁶Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,
But pleasant words are pure.
²⁷He who profits illicitly troubles his own house,
But he who hates bribes will live.
²⁸The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
²⁹The Lord is far from the wicked,
But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
³⁰Bright eyes gladden the heart;
Good news puts fat on the bones.
³¹He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof
Will dwell among the wise.
³²He who neglects discipline despises himself,
But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.
³³The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom,
And before honor comes humility.

16 ¹The plans of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
²All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight,
But the Lord weighs the motives.
³Commit your works to the Lord
And your plans will be established.
⁴The Lord has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked for the day of evil.
⁵Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.
⁶By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for,
And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.
⁷When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
⁸Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income with injustice.
⁹The mind of man plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
¹⁰A divine decision is in the lips of the king;
His mouth should not err in judgment.
¹¹A just balance and scales belong to the Lord;
All the weights of the bag are His concern.
¹²It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts,
For a throne is established on righteousness.
¹³Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And he who speaks right is loved.
¹⁴The fury of a king is like messengers of death,
But a wise man will appease it.
¹⁵In the light of a king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.
¹⁶How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
¹⁷The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;
He who watches his way preserves his life.
¹⁸Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
¹⁹It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly
Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
²⁰He who gives attention to the word will find good,
And blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
²¹The wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
²²Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it,
But the discipline of fools is folly.
²³The heart of the wise instructs his mouth
And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
²⁴Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
²⁵There is a way which seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
²⁶A worker’s appetite works for him,
For his hunger urges him on.
²⁷A worthless man digs up evil,
While his words are like scorching fire.
²⁸A perverse man spreads strife,
And a slanderer separates intimate friends.
²⁹A man of violence entices his neighbor
And leads him in a way that is not good.
³⁰He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things;
He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.
³¹A gray head is a crown of glory;
It is found in the way of righteousness.
³²He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
³³The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the Lord.

El Corazón de los Sabios
Proverbios 14-16
5 y 6 de octubre de 2024

Estamos en la sección de Proverbios donde Salomón muestra la sabiduría como piezas individuales de un tesoro; un tesoro de sabiduría tras otro. Pero una sabiduría valiosa y profunda en un versículo puede no estar necesariamente conectada con un tesoro de sabiduría en el siguiente primero. Para algunos, puede parecer al azar.

Pero como mencioné antes, hay temas que atraviesan el tejido del hermoso tapiz de los Proverbios. Estos temas hablan de la vida en su totalidad, y en estos capítulos en particular, hablan del funcionamiento interno del corazón y de la actitud de la mente. Aquí, Salomón a menudo enfatiza el significado de las palabras que hablas, sabiendo que “La boca habla del buen tesoro que llena el corazón”.

Como vimos la semana pasada, a menudo Salomón compara a los justos con los malvados, y resalta un contraste entre los justos y los malvados. Este es uno de los grandes temas de los Proverbios. Una y otra vez, él establece un contraste entre ellos; los justos y los impíos, los necios y los sabios.

A los malvados los entendemos. Nacen en la fea naturaleza del hombre y continúan en esa condición el resto de sus vidas. Pero, ¿quiénes son los justos? ¿Son perfectos? No, ni uno. Pero sí se deleitan en lo que Dios está haciendo en sus corazones. Saben que nacieron en esa misma fea condición del hombre y que sólo por el poder transformador de Dios serán cambiados.

Esa es la obra de Dios en el hombre interior. Ese es el tema que veremos en estos versículos hoy. Los justos reverencian y honran a Dios. Ese es el comienzo de la sabiduría. El justo se deleita con la hermosa obra que Dios está haciendo en su alma. Los justos se aferran a la sabiduría de Dios y quieren vivir de acuerdo con ella.

Quieren conocer el funcionamiento interno de su corazones para que la sabiduría de Dios y el corazón de Dios pueda transformar sus alma desde adentro.

Vamos a ver estos capítulos de una manera un poco diferente. En lugar de leer versículo por versículo en detalle, lo cual hacemos los miércoles por la noche, captaremos los temas que se entretejen en estos versículos.

El tema principal de estos capítulos es la obra de Dios en el hombre interior. Es lo que podría llamarse Sabiduría más profunda. Nos hace reflexionar profundamente sobre la condición de nuestra alma. Si podemos entender el funcionamiento interno de nuestro corazón y pedirle a Dios que nos muestre lo que necesita ser transformado, podemos aferrarnos a la sabiduría de Dios, y nuestra alma será cambiada, y viviremos y nos moveremos con “El Corazón de los Sabios”.

Por cierto, antes de ver los grandes temas de estos capítulos, quería destacar uno de mis versos favoritos.

Proverbios 14:4, “Donde no hay bueyes, el pesebre está limpio; pero mucho aumento viene por la fuerza de un buey”. En otras palabras, los bueyes son desordenados, dejan ‘pasteles de buey’ en el establo. Los que no gustan de las tartas de buey no tienen bueyes; pero mucha fuerza viene por la fuerza de un buey. En otras palabras, la vida es desordenada y las personas son desordenadas. Si quieres ser productivo y eficaz, debes estar dispuesto a limpiar las ‘tartas de buey.’

I. Los Sabios Meditarán en Su Camino

14:8, “La sabiduría del prudente es entender su camino…”

Una de las verdades profundas de los Proverbios es que debe convertirse en algo personal. Aquellos que son sabios desean conocer el funcionamiento interno de su propio corazón, el motivo detrás de sus deseos y entender su camino.

Algunos nunca se detienen a considerar el funcionamiento interno de su corazón. Nunca se detienen a entender por qué hacen lo que hacen. Pero los sabios buscan comprender; para que Dios pueda ayudar a sanar y fortalecer el alma en su interior.

14:10, “El corazón conoce su propia amargura, y el extraño no comparte su gozo”.

Uno de los puntos de internalización de mi vida fue cuando era un hombre joven al final de mi adolescencia y principios de los 20 años. Estaba enojado y amargado. Estaba amargado en mi corazón debido a las condiciones de mi vida. Me crié en la pobreza y mi padre era un alcohólico iracundo y abusivo. Y no quería que nadie lo supiera. No quería que la gente me juzgara, así que daba la impresión de que todo estaba bien, pero no todo estaba bien. Conocía muy bien mi propia amargura.

Proverbios 14:13 – Nueva Biblia de las Américas

Aun en la risa, el corazón puede tener dolor,

Y el final de la alegría puede ser tristeza.

Muchos conocen mi historia de que todo llegó a un punto crítico en mi cumpleaños número 21 cuando me estaba quejando con Dios sobre mi vida. Dios habló una palabra mejor, y eso me cambió. Dios se convirtió en mi padre.

Pero todavía había mucho trabajo por hacer en mi corazón. Solía sentarme durante horas orando: “Dios, muéstrame mi corazón. Muéstrame la raíz que causó la amargura y háblale vida”. Dios estaba sanando mi corazón.

Dios sanó mi corazón tanto que varios años después, Dios hizo un camino para que me convirtiera en pastor, para que pudiera ser usado por Dios para sanar a otros de su dolor y amargura. Dios incluso me dio el privilegio de guiar a mi padre al Señor y el privilegio de bautizarlo con mis propias manos.

El corazón conoce su propia amargura. Es cierto. Y cuando lo llevas todo al altar, los brazos del Padre se abren de par en par. Jesús te está llamando.

Deja que la sabiduría se asiente bien en tu corazón

14:33, “La sabiduría reposa en el corazón del que tiene entendimiento…”

Se podría decir que la sabiduría se asienta bien, se ha asentado bien en el corazón de aquel que tiene entendimiento. El corazón de aquel que tiene entendimiento se deleita con ello.
El corazón que tiene entendimiento mide todas las cosas por la sabiduría de Dios.
14:12 (y 16:25), “Hay un camino que al hombre le parece derecho, pero su fin es el camino de la muerte”.
Estos son versículos muy importantes. Cualquiera que sea sabio diría: “No quiero hacer lo que me parece correcto, creo que es correcto, pero al final, es el camino de la muerte”. Yo no quiero eso.
¿Qué vas a hacer? ¿Cómo evitar este error de pensar que algo está bien, que a ti te parece bien, pero no está bien, solo te lleva a la muerte?
Respuesta: tú oras. Haces una de las oraciones más importantes que podrías hacer cuando te enfrentas a una dificultad o un enigma y no sabes qué hacer. Has llegado a un punto de decisión, un punto de internalización.

Ustedes oran: “Dios, muéstrame. Señor, dame perspicacia. Dame sabiduría de Tu corazón. No quiero hacer algo solo porque me parece correcto, por favor muéstrame el camino”.

Santiago 1:5, “Si alguno de vosotros tiene falta de sabiduría, pídala a Dios, el cual da a todos generosamente y sin reproche, y se le dará. Pero debe pedir con fe y sin dudar, porque el que duda es como el oleaje del mar, impulsado y zarandeado por el viento. Porque ese hombre no debe esperar que recibirá algo del Señor”.

Los sabios tienen confianza piadosa

14:16: “En el temor de Jehová hay mucha confianza, y sus hijos tendrán refugio”.
Esta es la diferencia. Los que son piadosamente sabios respetan, reverencian y honran a Dios. “El principio de la sabiduría es el temor de Jehová”, leemos en Proverbios 1.
Cuando tienes ese rumbo; cuando verdaderamente respetas y honras a Dios, también tienes fe. Y los que tienen fe tienen confianza piadosa.
Hace toda la diferencia en el mundo saber que Dios está por ti, que nunca te dejará ni te abandonará, que Su favor descansará sobre aquellos que lo honran.

Salmo 71:3, 5, 7, “Sé para mí una roca de habitación a la cual pueda acudir continuamente; Tú has dado el mandamiento de salvarme, porque tú eres mi roca y mi fortaleza… Tú eres mi esperanza; Oh Señor Dios, Tú eres mi confianza desde mi juventud… Me he convertido en una maravilla para muchos; porque Tú eres mi fuerte refugio.

Los sabios piadosos tienen una fuerte confianza porque entienden la importancia de la mano de Dios en sus vidas. Nunca descartes la mano de Dios.
15:19, 24, “La senda de los rectos es una carretera… El camino de la vida conduce hacia arriba para los sabios”.
16:3, “Encomiendan sus obras al Señor, y sus planes serán confirmados”.
16:9, “La mente del hombre planea su camino, pero el Señor dirige sus pasos”.

Salmo 37:23, 31, “Los pasos del hombre son establecidos por el Señor, y Él se deleita en su camino… La palabra de su Dios está en su corazón; Sus pasos no resbalan”.

Los Sabios conocen el Poder de Sus Palabras

Proverbios 18:4 – Nueva Biblia de las Américas

Aguas profundas son las palabras de la boca del hombre; Arroyo que fluye, la fuente de la sabiduría.

Proverbios 10:31, “De la boca del justo brota sabiduría,”
16:23, “El corazón del sabio enseña su boca…”
Los sabios acumulan los tesoros de la sabiduría de Dios en sus corazones. Se convierte en un gran depósito del que fluye la sabiduría. “Las palabras de la boca del hombre son aguas profundas”.

Los sabios conocen el poder de sus palabras y las guardan cuidadosamente.

Las palabras agradables son dulces para el alma

16:24, “Las palabras agradables son como un panal de miel, dulce para el alma y sanador para los huesos”.
Los sabios conocen el poder de sus palabras, y el corazón de los sabios informa su boca y las palabras que hablan. Hay un gran poder en las palabras.
Las palabras pueden construir y las palabras pueden destruir.

Santiago 3:5 – Nueva Biblia de las Américas

5 Así también la lengua es un miembro pequeño, y sin embargo, se jacta de grandes cosas. ¡Pues qué gran bosque se incendia con tan pequeño fuego!

Se necesita una gran sabiduría para entender el poder de las palabras. Las palabras agradables edifican, construyen, fortalecen y animan. Las palabras agradables son un panal de miel, dulces para el alma y sanadoras para los huesos.

Colosenses 4:6, “Que vuestra palabra sea siempre con gracia, sazonada como con sal, para que sepáis cómo debéis responder a cada uno”.

Efesios 4:29, “Ninguna palabra dañina salga de vuestra boca, sino la palabra que sea buena para edificación según la necesidad del momento, a fin de que dé gracia a los que oyen”.

Santiago 1:26 – Nueva Biblia de las Américas

26 Si alguien se cree religioso, pero no refrena su lengua, sino que engaña a su propio corazón, la religión del tal es vana.

Lucas 6:45, “porque de la abundancia del corazón habla su boca”.

Di solamente la palabra que sea buena para edificación, según la necesidad del momento, para que dé gracia a los que oyen.
Da gracia; Trata a las personas mejor de lo que se merecen.
La gracia es lo más poderoso que conozco al responder a las personas difíciles y a las palabras difíciles. La gracia es poder.

Los sabios gobiernan sobre su propio espíritu

Proverbios 25:28, “Como una ciudad asaltada y sin murallas es el hombre que no tiene dominio sobre su espíritu”.
Al que no tiene control sobre su espíritu también se le llama ‘iracundo’. Se enfada rápidamente, como un relámpago. ¿Por qué? A menudo es porque se ofende fácilmente. Se toman las cosas como algo personal. No soportan la idea de que alguien hable o piense mal de ellos.
La sabiduría de Dios dice que debes gobernar sobre tu propio espíritu…
14:17: “El hombre de mal genio actúa insensatamente”.

Proverbios 29:11, “El necio siempre pierde los estribos, pero el sabio lo contiene”.

Proverbios 15:18, “El hombre de mal genio enciende la ira, pero el lento para la ira pacta la contienda”.

Santiago dice una palabra similar…

Santiago 1:19-20, “Que todos sean prontos para oír, lentos para hablar y lentos para la ira; porque la ira del hombre no alcanza la justicia de Dios”.

La ira del hombre no solo no logra la justicia de Dios, sino que también es una forma ineficaz de vivir o de amar.
La ira del hombre viene de la carne. A menudo es la carne la que se levanta primero…

Ilustración – Cuando alguien te corta el paso en el tráfico, no es tu espíritu de gracia el que se eleva dentro de ti… diciendo: “Bendito seas, hermano, debes tener prisa, aquí, por favor, toma mi carril”. No, es la carne la que se levanta primero. Leí sobre esto en un libro.

Proverbios también da la respuesta…
Proverbios 16:32 – Nueva Biblia de las Américas

32 Mejor es el lento para la ira que el poderoso, y el que domina su espíritu que el que toma una ciudad.

Desearía poder transmitir realmente la importancia de un espíritu tranquilo. Aquellos que son iracundos se han encerrado y han limitado sus opciones. No es efectivo. Obstaculiza el cumplimiento del propósito de Dios.
14:30: “Un corazón tranquilo es vida para el cuerpo”.
15:15, “El corazón alegre tiene fiesta continua…”
Deléitate en el Todopoderoso. Deleita tu alma en lo que Dios está haciendo y habita en la cercanía de Dios y su gloria transformará tu corazón. Un corazón tranquilo es vida para el cuerpo. Un corazón alegre tiene un banquete continuo…”

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