Proverbs 26 Devotional Study

How to know who is worthy of honor

The singer steps on stage and the opening chords of the song fill the room. She inhales deeply and lifts the mic to sing. But what comes out is unrecognizable. Off key and offbeat, she smiles and sings confidently while the audience watches in shock.

When the judges give their critique, she defends her performance and her tantrum quickly becomes an Internet meme.

There’s nothing like seeing someone make a fool of themselves on TV to illustrate the danger of giving people undue honor. When we give people respect or admiration they haven’t earned, we set them up for failure.

Just like the singer who’s never been told she can’t sing, the fool in Proverbs 26 grows more foolish every time his folly is rewarded.

That’s one reason the Bible teaches us to give encouragement freely and to honor selectively. Everyone needs encouragement — to be reminded of who we are in Christ and the power available to us through the Holy Spirit. But honor is reserved for:

• those who show wisdom about when to engage with someone and when to ignore someone (Proverbs 26:3-7),
• those who work hard, say what they mean, and don't interfere in others' business (Proverbs 26:13-17),
• those who make peace and avoid gossip (Proverbs 26:18-25),
• those who can be trusted with your heart (Proverbs 26:26-28).

Honor is bestowed based on a person’s character, not their position. Just like giving undeserved praise can land people on stages they aren’t ready for, undeserved honor can lead us to think we’re more than we are. And as long as we think we’re fine, we’ll never grow into who God knows we can be.

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Reflect:
Proverbs 26:1	As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
Proverbs 26:2	As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
Proverbs 26:3	A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
Proverbs 26:4	Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Proverbs 26:5	Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Proverbs 26:6	He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
Proverbs 26:7	The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Proverbs 26:8	As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
Proverbs 26:9	As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Proverbs 26:10	The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
Proverbs 26:11	As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
Proverbs 26:12	Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Proverbs 26:13	The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
Proverbs 26:14	As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
Proverbs 26:15	The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
Proverbs 26:16	The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
Proverbs 26:17	He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Proverbs 26:18	As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
Proverbs 26:19	So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
Proverbs 26:20	Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Proverbs 26:21	As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
Proverbs 26:22	The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Proverbs 26:23	Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
Proverbs 26:24	He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
Proverbs 26:25	When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Proverbs 26:26	Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
Proverbs 26:27	Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
Proverbs 26:28	A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

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