Proverbs - Don't Be Quick to Speak!

Proverbs 29:20

Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

This is classic me.  I can just blurt something out and end up complicating things unnecessarily.  I will be the foolish woman who tears down my house if I am hasty with my words.  I will be worse off than a fool if I am a woman who is quick to speak.  That is quite scary!  Let us not be hasty in our words. Let us keep it in until afterwards and present our thoughts before the eyes of God until He leads us to speak.  Even if we have to stop and pray before we say something, let the pause bring a stillness and wisdom to the conversation. 

Proverbs - Flattery is Foolish

Proverbs 29:5

A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

Flattery in the scriptures is not referring to genuine encouragement or praise.  Flattery is referring to a slanted word for hidden agendas.  If we say things to people with a motivation for gain we spread a net for our feet.  We must consider our words and seek to genuinely build up someone rather than puff them up.  We could be trying to gain a friend or someone’s respect.  This is dangerous business.  When we do this it is like setting ourselves up to be tangled in our words and relationships.  Let us rather seek to have words that are aimed by the Lord to bring life to those we speak.  Let us have clear paths by seeking to speak words that are rooted in truth and are separate from any individual gain.