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Proverbs 15: Wise Sayings
If harsh reactions make matters worse, why don’t more people have a gentle response?
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Proverbs 15:1 A gentle response has a calming effect, but harsh reactions make the conflict worse.
King James
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
How can people get away with expressing convictions that have no basis in fact?
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Proverbs 15:2 Wise people speak the truth in a way that makes good sense, but fools express convictions with no basis in fact.
2 Timothy 4:3 You will experience times when people reject sound teaching for what suits their desires. They will love those who preach what they want to hear.
King James
Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
How much can God see and know? How is that possible? Why?
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Proverbs 15:3 God’s eyes see everything, both the evil and the good.
Psalm 139:2 You see every time I sit or stand. No matter how distant I might think I am, you still know my thoughts.
Psalm 139:8 If I go to the farthest region of space and beyond, you are there. If I am laid to rest in the deepest grave, you are there.
King James
Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
Psalm 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Psalm 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
Which are more damaging, words or sticks and stones? Why?
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Proverbs 15:4 Kind words bring healing, but cutting words crush the human spirit.
King James
Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
Why are children smart to accept correction? What if the “correction” is wrong?
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Proverbs 15:5 Foolish children shun parental discipline. Those who accept correction show how smart they are.
King James
Proverbs 15:5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
How can a person with millions of dollars in the bank and stocks worth billions face bankruptcy?
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Proverbs 15:6 Righteous households gain many treasures, but the wicked are facing bankruptcy.
King James
Proverbs 15:6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
Why might fools care little about what makes sense?
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Proverbs 15:7 Wise people say things that make good sense, but fools don’t care about that.
Proverbs 15:14 People with discerning hearts seek the truth, but fools are satisfied with whatever sounds good.
Proverbs 15:21 People who lack good sense can find pleasure in foolishness, but the intelligent do what is right.
King James
Proverbs 15:7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
Proverbs 15:14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
Proverbs 15:21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
What does God have against sacrifices offered by the wicked? What might that say about accepting charitable gifts??
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Proverbs 15:8 The Lord is offended by the sacrifices of the wicked, but he delights in the heartfelt prayers of the righteous.
King James
Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
Does God love the righteous more than he loves sinners? Why?
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Proverbs 15:9 Wicked ways are disgusting, but the Lord loves those who pursue righteousness.
Romans 5:20 Laws have made our sins obvious, but they failed to eliminate our wrongdoing. The greater our sins are, the more God’s forgiveness means to us.
King James
Proverbs 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
How can we know what “correction” we should accept and what should be rejected?
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Proverbs 15:10 By hating correction, those who go their own way are asking for death.
Proverbs 15:32 Those who reject instruction hurt themselves. Accepting correction is a sign of good sense.
King James
Proverbs 15:10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
Proverbs 15:32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
How does God judge who belongs in Heaven and who belongs in Hell?
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Proverbs 15:11 If the Lord rules over all that happens after people die, he must know the motives of their hearts.
King James
Proverbs 15:11 Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
Why might wise people frustrate scoffers?
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Proverbs 15:12 Scoffers don’t want to receive correction, so they avoid the wise.
King James
Proverbs 15:12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
What makes happy people more socially acceptable than complainers?
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Proverbs 15:13 Happiness brightens people’s faces, but heartache reveals a crushed spirit.
King James
Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
How can we have a positive outlook during tragic time?
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Proverbs 15:15 The afflicted feel like every day is bad, but those with a cheerful attitude keep acting like they’re enjoying a feast.
Romans 8:28 All those who love God and are working to fulfill his purpose should know that all things will work together for good.
Ephesians 5:20 No matter what the situation is, always give thanks to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
King James
Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
How can we have more without increasing our fear of loss?
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Proverbs 15:16 Respect for what the Lord wants is worth much more than great wealth with the fear of loss.
King James
Proverbs 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.
What do angry people enjoy about fueling fiery relationships?
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Proverbs 15:18 Hot tempers start fires, but keeping your cool will douse the flames.
King James
Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
How does laziness compare with haste that makes waste?
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Proverbs 15:19 Lazy people are like thorns blocking the way to work, but the righteous keep the way open.
King James
Proverbs 15:19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
What kind of behavior makes parents proud?
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Proverbs 15:20 Wise children make their parents proud, but foolish children are an embarrassment.
King James
Proverbs 15:20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
How can we distinguish between good and bad advice?
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Proverbs 15:22 Plans fail for lack of good advice, but many counselors will help you make the right choice.
King James
Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
When might the right words make rejoicing difficult?
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Proverbs 15:23 Joy comes with having the right words at the right time.
Luke 6:26 Woe to the politically correct, those who say what people want to hear, for that is what their fathers liked about the false prophets.
2 Timothy 4:3 You will experience times when people reject sound teaching for what suits their desires. They will love those who preach what they want to hear.
King James
Proverbs 15:23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
Luke 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
How does wisdom help those who are facing death?
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Proverbs 15:24 Wisdom leads upward to life, away from death and the grave.
King James
Proverbs 15:24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
What does God do to protect needy widows?
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Proverbs 15:25 The Lord destroys the houses of the proud, but he’ll build a fence around the house of the needy widow.
King James
Proverbs 15:25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
If the Lord hates evil thoughts, how does he feel about those who have them? Why?
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Proverbs 15:26 The Lord hates evil thoughts, but he loves kind words from pure hearts.
King James
Proverbs 15:26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
What kinds of problems are created by greed?
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Proverbs 15:27 Greedy people create problems for their families, but those who can’t be bribed will do well.
King James
Proverbs 15:27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
How does speaking truth compare to saying what people want to hear?
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Proverbs 15:28 Good people search for truth before they answer, but the wicked spout off with evil.
King James
Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
How does our relationship with the Lord affect answers to prayer? Can God answer the prayers of the wicked? Why?
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Proverbs 15:29 The Lord keeps his distance from the wicked, but he is quick to hear the prayers of the righteous.
King James
Proverbs 15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Why do Christians sometimes struggle with expressing joy from the heart?
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Proverbs 15:30 A twinkle in the eye reflects joy from the heart, and good news provides nourishment and strength.
King James
Proverbs 15:30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
Why aren’t people more receptive to good advice?
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Proverbs 15:31 Listen to good advice and you will do well, living among the wise.
King James
Proverbs 15:31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
What does it mean to “fear the Lord”?
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Proverbs 15:33 Respect for the Lord is the foundation of wisdom, and humility is more important than seeking a place of honor.
King James
Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.