14The beginning of strife is like releasing water;Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.-Proverbs 17:14I am sure we have all seen it happen. Tensions are high and you feel like you're at y...  Read More

13Whoever rewards evil for good,Evil will not depart from his house.-Proverbs 17:13There are indeed consequences for the things that we say and do in our lives. In fact, some calamity may very well be...  Read More

12Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs,Rather than a fool in his folly.-Proverbs 17:12This is a very strong analogy to describe the danger of foolishness. It is a safer option to encounter a bear ...  Read More

10Rebuke is more effective for a wise manThan a hundred blows on a fool.11An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.-Proverbs 17:10-11I am sure we have all...  Read More

9He who covers a transgression seeks love,But he who repeats a matter separates friends.-Proverbs 17:9What is your attitude toward an individual that sins against you? Many of us like to turn to a clo...  Read More

8A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor;Wherever he turns, he prospers.-Proverbs 17:8When it comes to passages like this, it is important to remember that many Proverbs are simply ...  Read More

7Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool,Much less lying lips to a prince.-Proverbs 17:7The depth of this Proverb gets a little lost in translation. The phrasing used for excellent speech has to do...  Read More

6Children’s children are the crown of old men,And the glory of children is their father.-Proverbs 17:6Generations are seen as valuable in Scripture. While our culture likes to mock children and old me...  Read More

5He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker;He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.-Proverbs 17:5Verses like this make me want to dive deeper. Why would mocking the poor of all things be ca...  Read More

4An evildoer gives heed to false lips;A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.-Proverbs 17:4Rather than being one whose spirit rules over the flesh, the man who does evil gives heed to his own fle...  Read More

3The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,But the Lord tests the hearts.-Proverbs 17:3Scripture often uses the analogy of refining pots working silver or gold to talk about how the Lord...  Read More

2A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame,And will share an inheritance among the brothers.-Proverbs 17:2There is a value that godliness and righteousness has even in the eyes of wicked me...  Read More

Better is a dry morsel with quietness,Than a house full of feasting with strife.-Proverbs 17:1Contentedness is a necessity for us as believers. While we will not be satisfied until we awake in the Lor...  Read More

33The lot is cast into the lap,But its every decision is from the Lord.-Proverbs 16:33I cannot help but think our bend upon luck or things being lucky diminishes our understanding of the sovereignty o...  Read More

32He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.-Proverbs 16:32Anger is a hard one to get past. It is one of those things that we are a little ...  Read More

31The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,If it is found in the way of righteousness.-Proverbs 16:31The way that we look at age in our culture is so backwards. Generally speaking, each generation h...  Read More

27An ungodly man digs up evil,And it is on his lips like a burning fire.28A perverse man sows strife,And a whisperer separates the best of friends.29A violent man entices his neighbor,And leads him in...  Read More

26The person who labors, labors for himself,For his hungry mouth drives him on.-Proverbs 16:26Labor is a necessary part of life. As it is stated in 2 Thessalonians, if a man doesn't work, he doesn't e...  Read More

25There is a way that seems right to a man,But its end is the way of death.-Proverbs 16:25We live in a world that overemphasizes trusting in our own heart and doing what we think is right. However, th...  Read More

24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.-Proverbs 16:24Never underestimate the power of a kind word to someone. There was a period of time where I challenge...  Read More

23The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,And adds learning to his lips.-Proverbs 16:23We see a similarity here with James who says that whoever bridles his tongue is a perfect man. Wisdom does not ju...  Read More

22Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it.But the correction of fools is folly.-Proverbs 16:22When you have understanding, it is a recurring investment. It can apply to a slew of circu...  Read More

21The wise in heart will be called prudent,And sweetness of the lips increases learning.-Proverbs 16:21Caution will come about with being wise. Yet there is a balance in this. The wise do not get stuc...  Read More

20He who heeds the word wisely will find good,And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.-Proverbs 16:20James makes it abundantly clear that we are not just to be hearers of the word, but doers. Many...  Read More