Verses 4-5
-
Make sure that you say to a fool what needs to be said, but don't speak like a fool. When bringing correction, speak what the person needs to hear, but speak with controlled emotion and an attitude of love.
Verse 11
-
It is foolish to repeat one's sin. Don't settle for continuing in the same mistakes. Learn from them, and take steps to get better, even if it's progressive.
Verse 12
-
It is one of the worst attitudes to have to see yourself as wise or smart. It can be nearly impossible to make a fool change (Proverbs 17:10, 27:22), but a person who thinks they know it all will certainly never change, as long as they keep that attitude.
-
See yourself as always in need of wisdom and instruction from God and others, and this will keep you in the right attitude of humility.
-
Verse 14
-
It is lazy for one's activity to be focused on gaining better relaxation. And a door turning on its hinges is like movement that accomplishes nothing—wasted activity.
-
Don't live your life chasing after relaxation, and don't involve yourself in activity that will accomplish nothing valuable. Otherwise, it's only like turning over in a bed—movement that brings no progress.
-
Activity while in a state of laziness is not good activity.
-
Verse 16
-
People who are lazy make excuses and justify themselves for their laziness. And in so doing they see themselves as right or wise. This is pride. Pride and laziness go hand-in-hand.
-
Overall, it is lazy and prideful to be wise in your own eyes and thus ignore the counsel of others.
-
If you don't want to be lazy, then listen to the wisdom of others. Accept that if you aren't listening to others, you are being lazy and need to change your ways.
-
Verses 18-19
-
Saying/doing something foolish or hurtful, but as a joke, doesn't make it less harmful. In fact, this can make it worse. And joking about sin is just as shameful as affirming sin.
-
Don't make jokes out of hurtful or sinful things.
-
Verse 20
-
Put a stop to believing/speaking assumptions and rumors. Many fights begin and continue because people are speaking what is false, or making assumptions about others rather than wanting to listen and understand for themselves.
-
Seek to understand people for yourself, and speak only what is true, and conflict will easily resolve.
-
Verses 24-26
-
Don't trust that a person is genuine merely because of kind words. Give people time to prove their character in settings around other people, and sin will be revealed.
Verse 28
-
When a person hears lies, it hurts them. Knowing this, if you lie to a person, you are showing hatred to them—that you don't care about them being hurt.
-
But if you love someone, tell them the truth. Telling the truth is love. Lying is selfish and unloving.
-