A wise son accepts his father’s discipline, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
From the fruit of a man’s mouth he enjoys good, But the desire of the treacherous is violence.
The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, But the soul of the diligent is made fat.
Proverbs 13:1-4
I enjoy reading Proverbs, because it usually has multiple layers to it. One layer is on top, where you read and quickly gain a treasured truth. But then there are deeper layers, where you read … and then read again … and then think … and read some more – and then discover an even more treasured truth!
In the opening four verses, Solomon blends well the issues of right and wrong, desire, and speech. So, let’s talk about these for a moment, as if we were sitting down together with our Bibles open to Proverbs 13:1-4.
Verse 1 – Listening to corrective speech is wise. Not always easy, though. My pride wants to argue back and defend myself. But I need discipline and rebuke, even though I’m a father myself. Wisdom means realizing you don’t know everything and you aren’t perfect in everything. Correction and growth are needed.
Verse 2 – It’s interesting that I can enjoy good from what comes out of my own mouth. True, I enjoy good from what comes from others. And true, others can enjoy good from what comes out of my mouth. But the verse is saying that I benefit when I speak good things. I want to think more about this.
Verse 3 – This verse appeals to my introvert side. See, it’s good not to say anything! I’ll just stay quiet and keep to myself!
But verse 3 is balanced by verse 2. There are times to speak up and give fruit (v. 2). And there are times to keep silent and avoid danger (v. 3). Wisdom is in knowing when is the time to speak and when is the time to be silent.
Verse 4 – I love how fat is a positive characteristic here, something to be gained! But what Solomon is getting at is not just having a desire, but having diligence with that desire. Wanting something, no matter how great the desire, is not sufficient by itself. I have to put in the work. And that work needs to be diligent, persistent, consistent. This applies to so many areas of life. Gardening is one, where you have to be diligent to take care of your plants if you want to enjoy the fruit in harvest time. Other applications are in parenting, education, spiritual growth, and forming habits.
And for me, verse 4 and verse 1 connect. Because while I like the idea of being diligent and seeing desires being accomplished, I don’t always like the work involved in being diligent. It seems more appealing to not work and get rewarded! But I need to listen to the correction of God’s Word – and be diligent in what God has given me to do. He is gracious and gives good and perfect gifts. But part of His grace to me is doing the work – the diligent, practical work – He has given me to do.
Thank you for joining me. I hope God blessed you as we chatted about His Word together. Next week, we will chat over Proverbs 13:5 and 6!