Proverbs for better relationships

The past two Sunday nights, Chad gave sermons entitled “Proverbs for Better Relationships”.  Both lessons were very insightful and applicable to my life that I wanted to share them with you. 

Proverbs For Better Relationships:  Lessons from Proverbs

• Choose your friends carefully. (1:10,15-16; 4:14-17; 12:26, 22:24-25; 23:19-21)

The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
      For the way of the wicked leads them astray.   Proverbs 12:26

• Be merciful and truthful.(3:3-5; 21:21)

He who follows righteousness and mercy
      Finds life, righteousness, and honor.  Proverbs 21:21 

• Always try to do good things. (3:27-28)

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
      When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
Do not say to your neighbor,
      “ Go, and come back,
      And tomorrow I will give it,”
      When you have it with you.  Proverbs 3:27-28 

• Do not seek arguments.  (3:30; 14:17; 16:29; 20:3; 26:17)

A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
      And a man of wicked intentions is hated.   Proverbs 14:17

It is honorable for a man to stop striving,
      Since any fool can start a quarrel.  Proverbs 20:3 

• Strive to live justly and humbly. (3:33-34; 18:13)

The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
      But He blesses the home of the just. 
Surely He scorns the scornful,
      But gives grace to the humble.  Proverbs 3:33-34 

• Don’t make promises that you cannot deliver.(6:1-5)

My son, if you become surety for your friend,
If you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
You are snared by the words of your mouth;
      You are taken by the words of your mouth.
So do this, my son, and deliver yourself;
      For you have come into the hand of your friend:
      Go and humble yourself;
      Plead with your friend.
Give no sleep to your eyes,
      Nor slumber to your eyelids.
Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
      And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.  Proverbs 6:1-5

• Seek to love others. (10:12; 17:9)

He who covers a transgression seeks love,
      But he who repeats a matter separates friends.  Proverbs 17:9 

• Watch what you say and how you say it. (10:19; 15:1-2, 28; 16:24; 21:23)

Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
      Keeps his soul from troubles.  Proverbs 21:23

• Don’t tell everything you know.  (11:13; 29:11)

A talebearer reveals secrets,
      But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.  Proverbs 11:13 

• Righteous conduct is always best.  (12:13; 16:7)

When a man’s ways please the LORD,
      He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.  Proverbs 16:7

• Have a long fuse.  (14:29; 15:18; 16:32)

He who is slow to wrath has great understanding,
      But he who is impulsive exalts folly.  Proverbs 14:29

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
      And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.  Proverbs 16:32 

• Listen to others. (15:22; 18:1-2; 19:20, 27; 27:17)

Cease listening to instruction, my son,
      And you will stray from the words of knowledge. Proverbs 19:27

Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
      That you may be wise in your latter days.  Proverbs 19:20

• Try to resolve problems quickly. (17:14; 18:19; 25:9)

The beginning of strife is like releasing water;
      Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.  Proverbs 17:14

Debate your case with your neighbor,
      And do not disclose the secret to another;  Proverbs 25:9

• Remember that loyalty is a key to a good relationship. (17:17; 27:5-6,10)

A friend loves at all times,
      And a brother is born for adversity.  Proverbs 17:17

Open rebuke is better
      Than love carefully concealed.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
      But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.  Proverbs 27:5-6

• Be friendly and kind. (18:24; 19:22)

A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
      But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  Proverbs 18:24

• Guard against jealousy. (27:4)

Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent,
      But who is able to stand before jealousy?  Proverbs 27:4

• Practice self-control. (29:22)

An angry man stirs up strife,
      And a furious man abounds in transgression.  Proverbs 29:22