1-2 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.

3 The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.

4 Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. 5-6 Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble. 7 The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give. Proverbs 15:1-7 New Living Translation paraphrase (English Standard Version link)

What was the main thread that ran through today's verses?

Once again, as we've seen before in Proverbs, it's the impact of our words. The fact that this theme comes up often in Proverbs shows just how important words are, both for the good they can lead to, or the terrible damage they can do. Imagine if we consistently built our lives around the good use of words described in vs 1-2. How many destructive arguments could have been avoided and how many broken relationships need not have happened.

The book of James puts this truth well when the writer says: “We all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.” He goes on to say that “a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire, and among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire.” He then adds how we need to apply God's wisdom in our speech, and says: “The wisdom from above is first of all pure. It's also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.” (James 3:2,5,17) This is all captured in vs 1-2 of our reading.

Apart from using words in such a way that they make knowledge attractive, what else do wise words do? (vs 4 & 7)

Instead of crushing others, wise and well chosen words breathe life into those who are fainting under burdens they are carrying, and they bring sensible advice into difficult situations. Totally the opposite to what self centred and vain people contribute to any situation.

And, as we've also seen before in Proverbs, where is the best place for godly wisdom to be learned and when should it take place? (vs 5-6)

The ideal situation is for it to be taught by parents to children who are willing to listen. And this mustn’t be in a formal 'sit down and listen to me' type of way (though there will be times when that is needed) but it should be as Moses told the Israelites when he gave them God's wise laws. He said: “You must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) It should be a natural part of daily life. That's why today's reading says in vs 5-6 that “there is treasure in the house of the godly”. Never underestimate the value and worth of godly parents who faithfully live and teach God's wisdom to their children.

Verse 3 today may have looked the odd verse out. But is it?

Does it not perhaps reflect the truth of what Jesus said many years later when He warned the Pharisees of the danger they were in by saying the power for His miracles came from Satan. Jesus said to them: “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” (Matthew 12:35-37) What will the words we’ve spoken say on that day?