Proverbs 9 Devotional Study

How to win in every disagreement

Ever had a discussion turn into a heated disagreement? You both believe you’re right and want to change the other’s mind. It’s fun when we’re talking about sports or who gets the rose. But it can turn painful with serious topics like politics or religion.

First, consider your heart and the goal of the conversation. If either person is looking for a fight, it’s time to walk away. “Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you … if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer” (Proverbs 9:7-8 and Proverbs 9:12). Arguing for the sake of arguing only brings pain, not godliness.

However, if you’re both seeking wisdom and bringing open minds and gentle spirits, you may both come away wiser. God’s wisdom is available to us all (Proverbs 9:1-6).

When we start a conversation with humility, recognizing our place before God, we’re in a great place to receive His wisdom. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

During the conversation, ask God to reveal His wisdom. Be open to receiving instruction from the other person, while gently offering instruction of your own. If we take this attitude into our disagreements, we’ll experience the benefits of Proverbs 9:9, “Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.”

Imagine what our relationships would look like if we took this approach. We would win every time because we’d either walk away, avoiding unnecessary fights, or we would each come away a little wiser.

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Reflect:
	The Way of Wisdom
Proverbs 9:1	Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
Proverbs 9:2	She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
Proverbs 9:3	She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
Proverbs 9:4	Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Proverbs 9:5	Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
Proverbs 9:6	Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
Proverbs 9:7	He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
Proverbs 9:8	Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Proverbs 9:9	Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
Proverbs 9:10	The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 9:11	For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
Proverbs 9:12	If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
	The Way of Folly
Proverbs 9:13	A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
Proverbs 9:14	For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
Proverbs 9:15	To call passengers who go right on their ways:
Proverbs 9:16	Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Proverbs 9:17	Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
Proverbs 9:18	But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

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