Proverbs 14:29-35

Proverbs 14 ends with these thoughts:

Verse 29--Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

Verse 30--A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh,
but passion makes the bones rot.

Verse 31--Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
but those who are kind to the needy honor him.

Verse 32--The wicked are overthrown by their evildoing,
but the righteous find refuge in their integrity.

Verse 33--Wisdom is at home in the mind of one who has understanding,
but it is not known in the heart of fools.

Verse 34--Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.

Verse 35--A servant who deals wisely has the king's favor,
but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

What practical lessons can one gain from these proverbs for daily spiritual growth and godly living?

1. Anger can control a person, and cause that person to say or do something he or she would not say or do normally. This is a great stimulation for trying to control one's anger.
2. One's behavior toward others reveals one's true behavior toward God. If one oppresses the poor, one insults the poor person's Maker=God. If one is kind to the needy, one honors the needy person's Maker=God. Jesus reflects this truth when he says: "Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me" (Matthew 25:40).
3. A wicked person assumes he or she will be able to control his or her evil deeds and to gain power over others. Just the opposite is true: Evildoing controls the evil person, and ultimately destroys her or him.
4. No one lives in a vacuum. All live in community, small or large. This is true of a nation. The corporate life of a nation [all her citizens participating] determines that nation's destiny. Godly living leads to good outcomes, while wickedness leads to destruction.

John Willis