Proverbs 15

Let's start as usual with those proverbs pertaining to righteousness:

• The house of the righteous contains great treasure (v6)
• God loves those who pursue righteousness (v9)
• The heart of the righteous weighs its answers (v28)
• The Lord hears the payer of the righteous (v29)

The great treasure can be both spiritual and material. Spiritual treasures are essential and by far the more valuable, but righteousness is one factor that affects our material wealth. Two of the sayings relate to God's attitude towards the righteous. First He loves those who pursue righteousness, and secondly He hears our prayer. Our pursuing righteousness affects God's attitude towards us. We are fond of saying that we are in a relationship with God. Well in a relationship the attitude of one affects the attitude of the other. It does not mean that God loves us any more or less, but the way that love can be shown is different. Notice that a righteous person weighs his words. Sometimes it is said that is our reactions that reveal who we really are. Well maybe, but there is sin in all of us, and with the Holy Spirit's help we are in the process of crucifying the flesh. Part of this process is to consider our ways carefully so that we make wise choices but reject bad ones. In this way sin will die all the quicker.

There are many other themes in this chapter. One is on the value of our words. Speaking widely or foolishly can greatly affect the course of dispute, bringing peace and resolution, or lighting a fire of destruction. For a wise person the tongue adorns knowledge, ie it is a benefit. But for the foolish the mouth only causes folly and damage. A soothing tongue is a tree of life but a perverse tongue crushes a person's spirit. Our words are powerful and do both great harm and great good.