Proverbs 15:1-33
Each week, it’s a challenge to assign a title to these studies because every chapter in Proverbs covers such a wide array of topics. Each one is a treasure chest, filled with valuable gems of truth that could serve as the foundation for an entire sermon. The title I came up with for this study is “The Secrets to Living Joyfully”. I guess you could say they are open secrets because they aren’t hidden; it’s just that few take the time to read and apply them. Let’s find out what they are!
Watch the Proverbs 15 video to learn more or continue reading below:
The Power of the Tongue for Good or Evil (1-4)
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Whenever possible, we should strive to reply to people in a gentle, loving way, in a way that doesn’t needlessly provoke them to anger. This takes maturity, patience, and wisdom. Entire wars have started between nations, and countless people have died unnecessarily because of foolish leaders who were unable to swallow their pride and give a soft answer. In the NT, Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
Solomon must have put this proverb into practice, for during his reign, the United Kingdom of Israel experienced great prosperity and had peace on all sides (1 Kings 4:24). There were no significant internal or external conflicts. However, when his foolish son Rehoboam took over, he ignited a devastating civil war with grievous words to Israel (1 Kings 12:13).
But this proverb isn’t a one-size-fits-all. Indeed, there are times when we must speak boldly against evil people and use the Word of God like a sword. Think of the time Jesus spoke out against the Pharisees in Matthew 23, where he called them “hypocrites, children of hell, fools and blind, serpents, and murderers!”
So let’s not get the wrong idea that Christians are always supposed to be soft-spoken. Context and situation are key. We must learn to discern when to rebuke and when to give a soft answer.
Watch: Harsh Words Stir Up Anger (2 Samuel #1)
Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
It’s not only vital that you proclaim the truth, but that you know how to proclaim the truth. That takes wisdom. For example, every seasoned Bible student knows there is a grand conspiracy by Satan and all his devoted followers to take over the earth, and that they work hand in hand with many political leaders, business leaders, religious leaders, along with the deep state. But if you run around on every street corner shouting, “Wake up, there is a conspiracy man, everything is a conspiracy!”, you probably will just be labeled as a nut case and discredited by most. No one will benefit from the knowledge you have because you don’t know how to use your tongue.
On the flip side, someone wise will gently guide people toward discovery by asking questions and providing bite-sized pieces their minds can handle, hoping that at some point, God will open their eyes wide so they can see it all!
There is no doubt that there are agents of the deep state conspiracy who are hired actors to play the role of truth seekers, truth teachers, whose number one job is to gain your trust by speaking many truths, but in a way that is intentionally over the top to discredit the message and cause those listening to discredit themselves. This is often achieved by combining absurdities with the truth, encouraging listeners to break the law, or by presenting the truth in a reckless manner that repels many people.
Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
The point of this proverb is simple. We should conduct ourselves in a manner knowing that God sees everything we do. His eyes are everywhere, and nothing is secret to him! Let us therefore strive to live with integrity, even when no one else is watching, because God always is.
“And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and SEVEN EYES, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” -Revelation 5:6
Watch: Seven Eyes Watching One Stone (Zachariah 3 For Kids)
Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
Your tongue, when used in a Godly manner, can be life-giving to others! Think of the power the tongue is capable of.
Humble Yourself and Learn Righteousness (5-12)
Proverbs 15:5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
Your earthly father, as well as your heavenly father, wants to teach you the right way to live. Be prudent and listen.
Proverbs 15:6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
The righteous will be blessed with spiritual treasures beyond measure, but the wicked will be rewarded with trouble. Easy choice. Want to be rich in heaven? Be righteous.
Proverbs 15:7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
The point of the proverb is to warn us not to listen to fools, as there is nothing to gain from them. Seek out the wise so that you can be filled with knowledge.
Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
Can’t help but think of Cain and Abel here. What made Abel’s offering acceptable to God and Cain’s unacceptable? Why would God consider the sacrifice of the wicked an abomination, but be delighted in the sacrifices and prayers of the upright? Obedience. When you are striving to live righteously and offer a sacrifice, God will accept it. But if you are living lawlessly, your sacrifices are an abomination. No point in going to church to worship the Lord if you are not studying His Word with the intent to obey.
Proverbs 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
If wickedness is an abomination to the LORD, then we would be wise to do everything in our power to follow righteousness. An obvious step towards that, which many neglect, is studying the Word of God to learn what righteousness is.
Proverbs 15:10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
Be willing to accept rebuke from God or a wise elder who tells you the path or paths you are taking are dangerous. No point in being proud and stubborn, as that leads to death.
Proverbs 15:11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
Proverbs 15:12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
A scorner is someone who scoffs at the idea that they could be committing a wrong, and they will never be wise, although they almost always believe they are.
6 Secrets to Happiness (13-18)
Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
The condition of one’s heart oftentimes shows through their countenance. A person with the gift of discernment can tell by looking at one’s face what’s going on deep inside.
Proverbs 15:14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
How many people today spend countless hours in front of a screen of sorts, either mindlessly scrolling or seeking non-stop entertainment? Too many. Instead of feeding on foolishness, our hearts should be hungry for knowledge. Reading and meditating on the Word of God, reading comprehensive educational books, watching informative documentaries —you name it. So much to discover, so much to understand, yet so many are satisfied with being in an almost thoughtless trance (See 2 Thessalonians 2).
Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
The message of this proverb is that we should strive to be the kind of person who is positive and happy each day. Feast days were times of joyous celebrations, a time of fellowship, and a time to enjoy the bounty that God blessed them with. If we can strive to be of a merry heart, our life will be full of joy, and every day will be like a feast day!
But the negative person’s days are continually a drag.
Proverbs 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Living a simple Godly life will give us more joy than a life filled with an excess of material and worldly wealth. Oftentimes, the things we think we need are not really necessary at all, and we’d be better off without them.
The point of this proverb is to encourage people to consider ways to simplify their lives, thereby reducing stress and increasing joy.
Many people are doing this today by getting back to homesteading—growing gardens, raising their own livestock, etc.
Proverbs 15:17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
This proverb is similar to the prior one. Eating a dinner of herbs is a light meal, while eating an ox would be considered a heavier one. The point being made here is that it’s better to live with less and have love than to live with an abundance and have strife.
Oftentimes, we think the opposite. If we just had more money, or more of this or that, we could finally be happy and comfortable. When we probably should be thinking, “What can we get rid of in our lives, how can we simplify our lives so that we can have more love?”
Another application of this proverb is that sometimes when talking to other Christians, if you’re having a hard time agreeing on deeper matters like prophecy of the end times, who the elect are, or the exact age of the earth, then move back to some lighter topics that won’t cause contention between you, try and find something you can unite on for the sake of unity and brotherly love.
Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
No doubt Solomon was a patient, slow-to-anger person. Thus, the reason he experienced great prosperity and peace during his reign was that he did not unnecessarily provoke others to anger and was skillful in defusing anger.
Diligence, Wisdom, and Wise Counsel (19-23)
Proverbs 15:19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
The picture is plain. Being lazy is equivalent to walking into a line of thorn bushes. You don’t get anywhere, and you are constantly inflicted with pain.
Proverbs 15:20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
It could also be said that a foolish man “shames” his mother. It brings great heartache to parents who raise children who refuse to be wise. More than that, it brings shame to the entire family. What’s the point? Be a wise child!
Proverbs 15:21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
Someone without wisdom, a fool, actually finds joy in being a fool. Interestingly, there have been many movies made in the last couple of decades where they present men and dads as this sort of character, a fool who finds joy in being stupid. And so many of our men think this stuff is entertaining. Oh, that more men in our nation could be wise again!
Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
It’s wise to consult experts (or read their books), people with experience who may need help. Doing so can save a lot of pain and heartache.
Proverbs 15:23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
When you can give good counsel to someone, it brings joy to see that your words have helped them.
Things That Please/Displease The LORD (24-29)
Proverbs 15:24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
Wisdom leads upward to heaven, and foolishness leads downwards to hell.
Proverbs 15:25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
Never pays to be proud and arrogant!
Proverbs 15:26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
Our words can be pleasing to God if they are coming from a pure heart.
Proverbs 15:27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
Taking bribes is a great sin. Oh, I wish our politicians and other leaders took this proverb to heart. Especially the Neocons who take money from the Israeli lobby, those so-called conservatives that put the secular Christ opposing nation ahead of their own country.
Marjorie Taylor Green, representative from Georgia, is one of the very few politicians who doesn’t take money from AIPAC, the Israeli lobby. And she is being attacked for it.
Now we are finding out that Epstein was a zionist intelligence asset and that his island was used as a blackmail scheme to get powerful politicians to commit sexual crimes and then control them throughout their whole career, making sure they do the Zionist’s bidding.
Watch: Don’t Be Deceived By Preachers of Carnal “Zionism” (Galations 4)
Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
The righteous don’t just respond to people without thought; they carefully think things through before answering.
Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Meaning, the LORD is far from helping the wicked, but he is close to the righteous and hears their prayers. Want your prayers heard? Then strive to follow the commandments of God and all these proverbs that show us the path of righteousness.
Light, Joy, and Humility (30-33)
Proverbs 15:30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
Someone with bright, happy eyes can literally make others around them upbeat and happy. Be a positive person who uplifts others with the light of your eyes and some good news to share. On a deeper level, this good report is the Gospel or Good News of Jesus Christ and all that he accomplished for us on the cross.
Proverbs 15:31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
Proverbs 15:32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
This call to receive instruction and correction is repeated often in the book of Proverbs.
Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
Those who proudly seek honor will be brought low, but the humble person will be elevated with honor. Be humble. When you compare your life to that of Jesus’s, it should get you to a humble station in life, knowing that even in your best efforts, your righteousness is as filthy rags compared to Christ, and your heart is separately wicked compared to his purity of heart and mind.