WISDOM IN DEALING WITH PEOPLE

Proverbs 3:27-35 / Keywords 3:35

The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.

 

3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

    when it is in your power to act.

28 Do not say to your neighbor,

    “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—

    when you already have it with you.

29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,

    who lives trustfully near you.

30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—

    when they have done you no harm.

31 Do not envy the violent

    or choose any of their ways.

32 For the Lord detests the perverse

    but takes the upright into his confidence.

33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,

    but he blesses the home of the righteous.

34 He mocks proud mockers

    but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.

35 The wise inherit honor,

    but fools get only shame.

1. An area of our life that truly requires wisdom is our relationships with people. This passage gives us proverbs to help us to have wisdom in dealing with people. Many times, we fail to have wisdom in our relationships and succumb to our feelings, temptations, and pride. We need to pray and ask for wisdom, and God will help us (Ja 1:5).

 

2. How we treat our neighbor requires wisdom. We should assist our neighbor within our power to do so (27). We should not do anything evil to our neighbor, betraying their trust. We should give generously and freely to our neighbors instead of avoiding them when they need help.

 

3. We shouldn’t fight with others for petty reasons. We should not envy violent people who abuse others to get their own way. We should know that those who are wicked are cursed, but the righteous are indeed blessed. God lifts up the humble and scorns the proud (34). God honors those who act wisely in their relationships with others. Are you struggling with others? Ask God for his wisdom to act honorably and be blessed by him.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for giving me wisdom on how to interact with people. Please help me to be wise and honorable, trusting you to bless me.

One Word Be wise and honorable in your relationships with people