RELATIONSHIPS

Relationships With People

17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. Mind your own business or you may find your ears being chewed off or even worse – attacked by the aggressor of the argument.
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, 19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? Hurting one’s neighbor by the words that have come out of one’s mouth and then ending the discussion by saying “I was just kidding with you! OR, I was just trying to tell you what to do” does not negate the fact that we have hurt the person’s feelings. Apologize – really apologize. Apologizing and pouting at the same time does now work. It means that we apologized because someone told us to apologize, but we did not mean it.
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. 23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. Contention does not occur unless someone has opened up a can of worms with their mouth. Even if what we are repeating is the truth if it stirs up more strife among others then we don’t need to repeat it. When our words destroy others it is a sin! When what we have repeated destroys relationships we have sinned.

Lies and Talebearing

24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; 25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. 28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. A hateful person will always tell lies and say hateful things. 1 Peter 3:9-11 (KJV) speaks of staying away from evil – even if someone has done something hateful to us.”Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: ¹¹Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.” Being a two-faced person is always revealed eventually.26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. So, when one plans the the demise of their friend with another person be prepared for it to come back on you.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. Psalm 7:15-16 (KJV) “He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.”

Verse page

“>Proverbs 26:27 He who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him. P Verse page

“The Fool”

In chapter 26 numerous descriptors provide us adequate information on how to determine if a person is acting and or speaking foolishly. How does one come to this decision? By making a judgment call based on what they present as their behavioral pattern.

1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. 8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. Snow melts in the summer. So, this is like saying it will be a cold day in the hot place before anyone should give honor to a fool. 2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. Birds don’t walk they fly. But this bird is aimlessly wandering around and will subsequently become eaten by a predator. The same thing happens to a foolish person who has no purpose. 4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. In this instance, silence is golden. It is best for you not to respond to the foolish babblings of this person. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. In this instance, when the foolish person is babbling about something that is totally false we should answer them. Why? They will think that their answers are correct and will present themselves as conceited because no one knows more than they do. This is a serious personality deficit in a leader. Personally, If I am saying or have said something that is foolish I want someone to tell me so. 3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back. The only thing that changes inappropriate behavior is the correction of the behavior. In the case of the horse, a whip will change the direction that it is going in and the proper use of the bridle will steer the ass on the correct path. A rod is needed to stop a fool.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. 7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. Never send a known fool to deliver to deliver a message. It will reflect on not just the fool but also the sender.
9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. This is a graphic word of wisdom about the pain of sharing wisdom with a fool or worse yet forcing a known fool to verbalize wisdom. When someone presents themselves as an individual who is not teachable then this is God’s reaction to their attitude. 10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.Jeremiah 5:24 explains it a little clearer for us.
“They have not said in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives the rains, both autumn and spring, in season, who keeps for us the appointed weeks of harvest.” The righteous can categorically state that they have eternal life. But eh heart of man is contrary to God’s thoughts
Only a fool says in their heart “there is no God!” That person will receive the reward that matches their life decisions.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. It is impossible for a fool to be anything other than a fool. His/her will always act, speak, and live like a fool. It is as if they see no other option. 12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him. When one admits that they need help they will receive it. If it hopeless trying to help someone who does not recognize that they have a problem.

INTEGRITY/ACTIONS

13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. A lazy person will always give a lame excuse for why they are not working. 14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. A lazy person is as attached to their bed as a door is attached to the frame by its hinges .15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. No work no food! 16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. There is no point arguing with a slothful person. They are so conceited that they will not be able to see the rationale of your argument.