STICKS AND STONES – Proverbs 12 Wisdom Challenge.

STICKS AND STONES

Truth or Lie? ‘Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me’. You need discernment, because words can hurt and can heal depending on the heart of the messenger. Lets dive right into wisdom and get understanding. Like yesterday, read the chapter, and I will give some thoughts at the end.

Learn something new each day.
Discover something deeper.

PROVERBS 12 TWELVE

1 Love of instruction is the love of knowledge; but if you hate reproof, you’ll become like those who are unreasonable.

2 If you are good, you will obtain favor from the LORD, but men without discretion he condemns.

3 Man will not be established by wickedness, for the roots of the righteous will not be moved.

4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband, but she that shames is rottenness to his bones.

5 The thoughts of the righteous are right, but the counsel of the wicked is deceitful.

6 For things, the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the right delivers them.

7 When the wicked are overthrown, the house of the righteous will stand.

8 A man is commended according to his wisdom, but the perverse in heart is in contempt.

9 To be despised and have a servant is better than one who has honor, but lacks bread.

10 The righteous regard the life of their animals, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 Work your field, and you will be satisfied with bread, but they that follow vanity are void of understanding.

12 The wicked are desirous with nets of evil at the roots of the righteous to yield.

13 The wicked are snared by their transgression, but the lips of the righteous bring them out of trouble.

14 A man is satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompense of man’s hand will return to him.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he that hears counsel is wise.

16 A fool’s wrath is instantly known, but a prudent man covers shame.

17 He that speaks truth shows forth righteousness, but a false witness is deceitful.

19 Lips of truth are established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil, but counselors of peace have joy.

21 No evil will happen to the righteous, but the wicked will be filled with mischief.

22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but they that deal truthfully are His delight.

23 A prudent man conceals his knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims their foolishness.

24 The hand of the diligent bears rule, but the slothful will be in tribute.

25 Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop, but a good word makes it glad.

26 The righteous is an excellent neighbor, but the way of the wicked seduces.

27 The slothful roast not his hunting, but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

28 The way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway, there is no death.

My Thoughts:

Motivational books are the modern philosophers of our day. They boost your soul for winning, like exercise for the body. But it has one twist and one turn that very few people dare to speak of, or that the masses acknowledge. It still leaves your soul empty while filling your mind with knowledge that numbs the thirst for the living wells from heaven. Therefore, the wise teacher says: The love of instruction is the love of knowledge; but if you hate reproof, you’ll become like those who are unreasonable. And then he concludes: The way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway, there is no death.

For today, verse 18 speaks the loudest. But a fool once said, and fools keep repeating: ‘Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me’.

It’s Origin

The exact author is unknown. The earliest known printed evidence is from July 23, 1857, in the Northern Times of Liverpool. F. R. Horner referred to it as “the schoolboy’s rhyme” and gave a version essentially meaning:

Sticks and stones may break men’s bones, but bad names will not hurt me.

Then, in March 1862, The Christian Recorder, published by the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States, printed:

“Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.”

Importantly, it called the expression an “adage,” indicating that it was already circulating before the earliest surviving printed examples.

The Antidote

Now, do not repeat these words to numb the arrows that pierced your heart. Verse 19 concludes that the tongue of the wise brings healing. A wise friend, a wise counselor, a wise parent will bring words to heal the wounds an attacker left on the ones they love. But charm hides hatred. It is deceptive like Satan the deceiver.

The Bible says, love is not rude. To be rude is not kind. And to be kind is to speak words that heal. And even if the words of a friend hurt when he speaks the truth in love, those words bring healing to an infested wound that needs cleansing. Therefore, my friend, you need discernment, because words can hurt and can heal depending on the heart of the messenger. It can be a spouse, it can be a parent, or it can be your child. It may even be leaders in your life or co-workers at work, or even kids on the playground. They knock you down not with a fist or a blunt object, but they use their words to pierce your heart and wound you.

When Jesus spoke, he did not charm the people to gain followers. He spoke the truth in love. And those who loved the truth followed him into the light. Before Christ was crucified, Peter said to him. Lord, I will never let you die that way. Then Jesus said, Stan, get behind me. For at that moment Stan wanted to stop Christ in his purpose and mission. And Jesus discerned the origin of the words Peter spoke. Paul the apostle also spoke many things to the church, and sometimes it was needed to rebuke and reprove some members. And Paul recognised that even though his words may hurt them now, it will later heal them.

Words are like a rod of reproof. It stings at times. But Proverbs says that the blueness of a wound brings healing. So don’t despise reproof. Jesus in the book of Revelation also reproved five of the seven churches. The wise use their words correctly, but fools despise correction and suffer the consequences. So be wise and be kind, and let your words bring healing to those around you.

The Bottom Line is this; Don’ Let Philosophy Spoil The Truth. Instead of quoting philosophers, declare the Word of God that has the power to heal your heart and to transform your mind.

Tomorrow, we will continue our Proverbs 31 Days Wisdom Challenge for more wisdom.

THE FIRST DAY OF THE 31 DAYS WISDOM CHALLENGE

For the love of Paris France