Proverbs Chapter 15

Perfect love will cast away petty differences but it will not cast away the word of truth and sound doctrine.

Pro 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

There is no reason why we can't speak kindly to one another. We don't have to speak harshly and be irritable. However, rebuke, correction and pointing out error is necessary but in the spirit of meekness.

GALATIANS 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

There is a right way and a wrong way to correct someone in error but to keep truth and sound doctrine within the church, we must correct error.

Pro 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

The bible was given to us to show us the true way of salvation, to show us who God is and what the law of God requires. The bible also is given to keep us from foolishness and foolish speaking. It will correct our faults if we adhere to its doctrine.

Pro 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Our desire should be that when He sees us, He sees the good.

Pro 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

When we speak truth, we will help others find the way of life. If we are always speaking foolishness, we lead astray many times unknowingly.

Pro 15:5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

If you want to see someone who has the true fruits of the spirit, you must see them at a time when they are receiving correction. If they lack the fruits of the spirit, they will react in haughtiness and anger. If they possess the fruits of God's spirit they will receive correction from one who is faithful in delivering the truth.

Pro 15:6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

The treasure is not necessarily what we think is treasure. Knowledge of the Lord and His word is a more valuable treasure than the riches of the whole world.

Riches cannot buy me eternal life. Riches cannot deliver in the day of death, sickness and trouble. The word of God can deliver from eternal death and bring to us the true treasure that can't be taken away from us by the men or women of the world.

Pro 15:7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

If we are not foolish, we will share good knowledge with all we care about.

Pro 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Outward religion and religious rituals are vain and profit nothing if the heart of the worshipper is not right with God. It is a waste of time. That is what God tries to tell us in the entire word of God. Both Old and New Testament worship is shown to be vain if one does not seek the Lord in spirit and in truth.

Pro 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

We know that God loves everyone even when they were sinners but He hates the wickedness that He sees us do. He loves to see us do good and follow righteousness. God hates divorce. Why? He sees the hurt and suffering we go through and how is affects the children. It is confusing to a child to have two parents and then see them separate and fight over custody. We don't realize how much we cause wrong to the children when we do these things.

God gives laws for a reason. He warns and gives us the word for a reason. It is for our good, not our misery.

Pro 15:10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

We will avoid correction if we are bound and determined to do what we want instead of what is right.

Pro 15:11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
Pro 15:12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

Who is hated and made fun of the most in the United States? It is the ones who believe the word of God and preach it. If we compromise and water it down, we are accepted. If we dare to preach the truth, we are hated. I see movies that poke fun at the preachers who preach against sin and warn of eternal damnation. However the gentle, pat on the back, friendly, nothing is wrong types are accepted.

Pro 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.


Sometimes it takes brokenness to humble us and cause us to have understanding. Compassion is sometimes born in one who has been broken by the spirit of God. A broken, contrite heart will repent and bring forth fruits that yield a changed life. If we are happy all the time and never take time to consider the suffering, the poor or the lost, how can we help them find the way of salvation?

The joy of the Lord brings us laughter but when we remember so many that are lost and without that joy, our eyes should fill with tears. There is a time to laugh but there is a time to weep for the souls that are still without God.

Pro 15:14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

The more one wants to understand, the more he or she will understand. If you are careless and take the word lightly and have the attitude that, "I can't understand it so I won't worry about it," then you will not understand. Those that seek understanding receive understanding a lot faster then one who takes the word lightly and does not study it diligently.

Mat 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

I do not believe this passage refers to material possessions because of the verses before and after it. This has to do with the fruit that we bear when the seed of the word falls on good ground as opposed to a ground with thorns that have no root.

We must be careful not to apply the meaning of the word to business or seeking wealth. In so many other passages Jesus warns of seeking treasure in this life.

Pro 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
Pro 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Pro 15:17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

The above three verses should be taken together. We must not separate verse 15 and assume that it is better to be happy all the time. Remember the words of Jesus:

Luke 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
Luke 6:25 Woe unto you that are full for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

It is better to have little in this world's goods and be rich in the spiritual things that come from God than to be rich in this life and be empty of the things that count.

Pro 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Proverbs reminds us so many times that it is not the quick talker, slick debater or great speech maker that we should admire. Admire those that think and ponder before they speak. Listen to those that are slow to lose their temper and react in anger.
Think first, then speak. I know the world likes the fast talkers but that is not what the bible teaches.

Pro 15:19 The way of the slothful man is as a hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

Thorns grow up and ruin a garden. They grow up in places where no one is responsible enough or cares enough to weed out the thorns and keep them from growing. A good garden takes constant care. This is the same in the spiritual realm. If we never study the word and feed our souls, we will get careless and weak spiritually. We will have no strength against temptation and our prayers will seem to fall to the ground. Our faith gets weak and our walk with God becomes lukewarm or cold.

We should seek to make sure God is our first love at all times.

Pro 15:20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

If one loves his parents, he would not do anything to grieve them. It is the same with our heavenly Father. If we love Him, we would not want to forsake His word or take His word lightly.

The word of God is being pulled apart, changed, taken lightly, ignored and treated as if it is not necessary or something that divides so it should be laid aside. This is the worst mistake we could make. If the word causes division then let it be. We don't want to be united in something that is not truth. Remember God broke up the unity at the tower of Babel because it was not a unity in truth but a manmade unity that would have lead to evil, not good.

The kind of unity that we should seek, is the unity that comes by the spirit of God. If we have to ignore the bible or forsake the word of God to have unity, then the unity we are seeking could not be good.

The church has "Been there and done that." Remember the Middle ages and the darkness that came as a result of the word of God be suppressed and hidden from the common man. When the word began to awaken a few dissenters, they were persecuted and killed by those that supposedly represented God. Sure it caused division but if something is not right, then we must not be afraid of division.

Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Concerning the right kind of unity:

John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

We are to be of the same mind and one accord in the spirit and in truth. Never in a lie. We can overlook trivial unimportant things but must hold fast the sound doctrine of the word.

We must strive for truth at all times and not strive to prove a point or prove ourselves in the right but seek truth even if it proves us wrong at times. Pride out, humility in. Avoid outward religion and seek the inward change that comes by the Holy Spirit. Seek the love that Jesus had for us that He suffered agony to save us from sin. Perfect love will cast away petty differences but it will not cast away the word of truth and sound doctrine. So many are seeking unity today but is it at the expense of casting away the word of truth which saves the soul?????

Yet in striving for truth, we must not seek to prove ourselves right but seek to prove God is right.

Pro 15:21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

The joy the world has is a false joy. When they rise in the morning, the joy is gone.

Pro 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors they are established.

That is why the KJV bible was translated by many and not one or two. They wanted to make sure they were right. They cared enough not to take it lightly. If any mistakes were made, it was not because they did it on purpose. That is why I trust in that version above others.

If our motive in reading the word is to prove our own points and puff ourselves up by showing ourselves to be in the right, then we may get it wrong. Our motive should be to get correct understanding and seed truth whether or not it benefits us personally or makes us look good to someone else. If we get self out of the way and keep Christ before our eyes, we will most likely receive the right understanding.

Pro 15:23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
Pro 15:24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

The bible was written to show us the way of life. It will surely cause us to escape hell. Yet sadly, so many neglect it and prefer to concentrate on the things of this life only.

Pro 15:25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
Pro 15:26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

Meditate upon God's word and our minds will become pure as this passage speaks.

Pro 15:27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

Listen to this verse and one will never be in debt, never be miserable because his joy is not in things that can be taken away.

Pro 15:28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

Be slow to speak. Think first.

Pro 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Unless a sinner is praying a prayer of repentance, the Lord does not answer. His answers are for those that love Him enough to live by His word.

Pro 15:30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
Pro 15:31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

If we reject correction and ignore the word, we will not only reap trouble but we will lose our souls for eternity.

Pro 15:32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
Pro 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning. If we do not fear the Lord, we will not listen to what He has to say to us. Let us be careful not to go the way of the world and take the word of God lightly. We must not add to it or take from it. It is our life.

PROVERBS 16