Proverbs - Pride is the Root of Foolishness

Proverbs 14:3

                                       

In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride:

but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

The Lord warns us earlier in this chapter that the foolish woman will tear down her home with her own hands. Whether we are a woman or a man, in this verse we see that when we speak foolishly we have PRIDE at the very core of our motivation.  Words can tear down a house, a marriage, a parent-child relationship.  We must remember that words are very powerful.  They can bring life and they can bring death.  When our words are foolish and they are rooted in some sort of self-focus.  When we are focused on self, we are not aware of others’ needs and feelings.  For some reason, the rod of pride banishes the interests and feelings of others.

This rod of pride is stubborn and judgmental.  It is swung with disregard to all those in its path.  Ladies, the Lord wants our lips to speak wise things.  Wise words grace all those who hear them.  Wise words are rooted in love and concern for honoring God and loving others.  When we are wise our words will preserve us.  They will protect us from unnecessary conflict.  These wise words will nurture our relationships and preserve them from decay. 

When we find words that are strong in judgment and harsh in delivery, we should stop, perhaps go into the restroom or backyard and confess the rod of pride.  Ask the Lord for humility and meekness.  Wisdom is associated with meekness and consideration.  When words are wise they don’t have to prove themselves right.  They ARE right.  Lord, give us the ability to stop in the midst of foolish words and confess self-focus.  Help us have a meekness about us that seeks to build up our homes and consider others as more important than ourselves.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen