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Who's eaten my honey?

Wisdom is a fountain of life to the wise, but trying to educate stupid people is a waste of time. Intelligent people think before they speak; what they say is then more persuasive. Kind words are like honey — sweet to the taste and good for your health.

Proverbs 16 : 22 - 24 (GNB)

There are several important points being made in this week's passage.

Firstly the importance to think carefully about what you are about to say, before you say it. This probably seems obvious. However think back to times when someone has been winding you up or upsetting you. Have you always given a calm collected response, or have there been times when you have spewed out all sorts of things without really thinking about it? As we see here and in many other passages in the Bible rash, impulsive decisions are not traits of a wise person.

We know that wise people think about what they are going to say. They can string together eloquent, clever sentences which are both appealing and helpful to those who are listening.

So that's all we need isn't it? A well thought through argument and everyone will see the value of what you have to say? Well no, as we know life is not that simple. We are warned in the passage that not everyone shares the same wisdom from God. No matter how good or persuasive your argument, you won't get through to everyone. This is reflected in the passage where it tells us "trying to educate stupid people is a waste of time".

I do not think that this means that we shouldn't try and spread the word about God's love to those around us (as we are explicitly told to do this). However I think it is more of a warning that it will not be welcomed by everybody, and sometimes you will simply have to agree to disagree.

Be encouraged this week that wisdom is healthy and is designed to be shared. It just needs to be done with care and thought, not as a spur of the moment impulse. Have a great week.

This week's song is Busted heart (Hold on to me) by For King and Country.

Header image by: mamat123 via FreeImages