King Solomon contrasted the opinions of the wise to the ways of the foolish in the book of Proverbs. As the wisest man who ever lived, we can glean from his opinions, reasoning, and teachings. We have much we can learn from his insights and pearls of wisdom.
The Opinions and Ways of a Fool
King Solomon expounds on the folly of a fool to warn us of their foolish ways that we might be kept from their path of shame, destruction, and death.
“When there are many words, wrongdoing is unavoidable.” ~Proverbs 10:19a NASB
“A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.” ~Proverbs 18:2 WEB
“He who answers a matter before he hears the facts – it is folly and shame to him.” ~Proverbs 18:13 AMPC
“Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly, otherwise you, will be like him.” ~Proverbs 26:4 AMP
“There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” ~Proverbs 16:25 WEB
The Opinions and Instructions of the Wise
King Solomon instructs us that “wisdom is better than strength” and “wisdom is better than weapons of war” and then exhorts us to “fear God, and keep His commandments because this applies to every person.”
King Solomon addresses our mouth, lips, and tongue. He speaks of wise words of knowledge being comparable to ‘rare jewels’ or ‘apples of gold in settings of silver’.1
“The one who restrains his lips is wise.” ~Proverbs 10:19b NASB“
A person finds joy in giving an apt reply – and how good is a timely word!” ~Proverbs 15:23 NIV
“The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.” ~Proverbs 18:4 WEB
“A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips, he is satisfied.” ~Proverbs 18:20 WEB
“There is gold and an abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.” ~Proverbs 20:15 WEB
“He who guards his mouth and his tongue guards his soul from troubles.” ~Proverbs 21:23 NASB
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.” ~Proverbs 25:11 NASB
James adds, “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.”2 The Apostle Paul spurs us to ‘lean into the Lord’ for gracious speech.
“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” ~Colossians 3:17 NASB
“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” ~Colossians 4:6 NASB
King Solomon continues with God’s principles of wisdom.
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” ~Proverbs 2:6 NASB
“Listen to counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction, that you may be wise in the time to come.” ~Proverbs 19:20 AMP
“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.” ~Proverbs 16:24 AMP
“Know that [skillful and godly] wisdom is [so very good] for your life and soul; if you find wisdom, then there will be a future and a reward, and your hope and expectation will not be cut off.” ~Proverbs 24:14 AMP
Because “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].” Let us agree in prayer with David, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”3
Recommendations
A Way of Escape Lets You Soar to Stunning Freedom – Strength with Dignity
Rely on the Lord of Love and Unlock Transformation – Strength with Dignity
References
1 Ecclesiastes 9:16, 18; 12:13 NASB
2 James 1:19 WEB
3 Proverbs 18:21 AMPC; Psalm 141:3 NASB
100 Bible Verses about Words. Published by Open Bible. Retrieved September 22, 2023, from What Does the Bible Say About Words? (openbible.info)
Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631.
Amplified Bible, Classis Edition (AMPC) Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation.
New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB 1995), copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Wilson, Jamie. 27 Bible Verses about Opinions (with Commentary). Published by Scripture Savvy, updated on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2023, from 27 Bible Verses About Opinions (With Commentary) – Scripture Savvy
World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
Bible Gateway Blogger Grid Member #bgbg2 #BibleGateway
Every Friday, I join an online Christian writing community, Five Minute Friday. We receive a one-word prompt and write whatever comes to our mind. The one-word prompt this week is opinions.
18 thoughts on “Opinions of the Wise or the Ways of the Foolish”
I used to like to flap my lips
and beat my gums to pass hot air,
giving out all sorts of tips,
but there was no wisdom there
in the smoky dumpster fire
of my cherished wayward thought,
so I figured I’d retire
before my advice went and bought
a crashing fist to my own jaw
from an irate advisee
who looked closer and then saw
that the clues I gave for free
came themselves at hidden cost,
as a map to get him lost.
One thing about growing older, we realize not to give advice unless it is asked for, right Andrew?
Lisa, this post gives much to think on. Proverbs 18:13 always comes to mind when I hear people arguing or debating. This morning as I looked up the definition of ‘opinion’ it surprised me to read: “a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty” (from dictionary.com). May we be discerning in the opinions we hear and accept. More so, may we weigh our opinions against the truth of God’s Word. I so appreciated this post!
You are so right, Joanne, we must weigh every opinion against the truth of God’s Word as it is the only true standard. Yes, Lord, I agree with Joanne’s prayer requesting greater discernment in all that we hear.
Thank you for the reminders Lisa, and for sharing all the Scriptures.
May the Lord strengthen and encourage you, Beth!
Important point that wisdom is found in being able to hear instruction and seek God’s will. Thanks for the reminders! Visiting from FMF#5
May the Lord give us ears to hear, Kym! Thanks for stopping by for a little visit.
scripture well-tied together, making a cohesive whole. Thank you. Reminding us to be careful about the words we use and the ones that we listen to.
May the Lord put a watch over our tongue and our ears, Annette. Thanks for popping by for a little visit, it is always good to hear from you, Annette.
““He who answers a matter before he hears the facts – it is folly and shame to him.” ~Proverbs 18:13 AMPC” I hadn’t read this version of the verse before. It reminds me of Steven Covey’s principle to seek to understand first before sharing our own opinion. Thank you for compiling these scriptures, Lisa. They would be good to study during a bible study series!
Great correlation between Proverbs 18:13 and Steven Covey’s principle, Lynn. Comparing the wise versus the foolish would be a great Bible study, Lynn.
A lot of good verses, Lisa.
I’m still working on “The one who restrains his lips is wise.”
It’s a hard one, Linda!
Wise words here Lisa. Ps: I love your new picture, so pretty ❤️
FMF #2
Thanks, Paula! My daughter recently graduated from RN school and a family member snapped the picture of me after graduation.
Lisa echoing; “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Amen!
Blessings, Jennifer
Yes! Blessings of peace to you, Jennifer!