WISDOM IN DEALING WITH PEOPLE

Passage: Proverbs 3:27-35

Key verse: 35

NIV

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
    when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
    “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
    when you already have it with you.(A)
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
    who lives trustfully near you.(B)
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
    when they have done you no harm.

31 Do not envy(C) the violent
    or choose any of their ways.

32 For the Lord detests the perverse(D)
    but takes the upright into his confidence.(E)
33 The Lord’s curse(F) is on the house of the wicked,(G)
    but he blesses the home of the righteous.(H)
34 He mocks(I) proud mockers(J)
    but shows favor to the humble(K) and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honor,
    but fools get only shame.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

27 (A)Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,[a]
    when it is in your power to do it.

28 (B)Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,
    tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.
29 (C)Do not plan evil against your neighbor,
    who (D)dwells trustingly beside you.
30 (E)Do not contend with a man for no reason,
    when he has done you no harm.
31 (F)Do not envy (G)a man of violence
    and do not choose any of his ways,
32 for (H)the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,
    but the upright are (I)in his confidence.
33 (J)The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked,
    but he (K)blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
34 Toward the (L)scorners he (M)is scornful,
    (N)but to the humble he gives favor.[b]
35 The wise will inherit honor,
    but fools get[c] disgrace.

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 3:27 Hebrew Do not withhold good from its owners
  2. Proverbs 3:34 Or grace
  3. Proverbs 3:35 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

An area of our life that truly requires wisdom is our relationships with people. This passage gives us proverbs to help us to have wisdom in dealing with people. Many times, we fail to have wisdom in our relationships and succumb to our feelings, temptations, and pride. We need to pray and ask for wisdom, and God will help us (Ja 1:5).

How we treat our neighbor requires wisdom. We should assist our neighbor within our power to do so (27). We should not do anything evil to our neighbor, betraying their trust. We should give generously and freely to our neighbors instead of avoiding them when they need help.

We shouldn’t fight with others for petty reasons. We should not envy violent people who abuse others to get their own way. We should know that those who are wicked are cursed, but the righteous are indeed blessed. God lifts up the humble and scorns the proud (34). God honors those who act wisely in their relationships with others. Are you struggling with others? Ask God for his wisdom to act honorably and be blessed by him.

Prayer: Father, thank you for giving me wisdom on how to interact with people. Please help me to be wise and honorable, trusting you to bless me.

One Word: Be wise and honorable in my relationships with people