April 16

Apr 16 - Today from Proverbs 16 we look at verse 21
"The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction."

I chose a companion verse from the book of James, often considered the 'Proverbs of the New Testament'. It is found in chapter 3 verse 17; "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." Truth must be served with wisdom.
If you attempt to give a child medicine needful for recovery and health, and the medicine is bitter and disagreeable to the taste, you are likely to have a fight on your hands. The child will be prone to spit out the very thing that will comfort and heal. Manufacturers and parents do all they can to make the medication palatable so that the child will accept and ingest the medicine.
When it comes to moral instruction, we can all be a bit childish. What might be palatable for one might be bitter medicine for another. It takes discernment to know what moral instruction a child, a friend, a co-worker or even a spouse might be prone to gag on and spit out. The truth must be served with wisdom. One must be considerate when offering counsel. How will they feel about your taking the initiative to point out a perceived flaw in their character? People don't always appreciate the astute observations of other’s regarding their character and behavior. I know I don't. One must be submissive when offering instruction. We all believe in basic human rights. That gives every individual an area of authority, and that authority has to do with personal space. Submission is respect for authority. One must be full of mercy and good fruit when promoting instruction. There should be no condemnation in the attitude or content of the counsel given, and the one giving the counsel should evidence the fruit of the counsel in their own life. Don't try to point out a speck in their eye when you have a huge splinter in your own. One should be impartial and sincere in their instruction to others. Don't allow for double standards or partial exceptions when dealing with moral instruction. And please, don't be condescending or pretentious when handling the responsibility of sharing truth with others. There is nothing pleasant about that.
The bottom line here is that we should do all we can to make instruction, counsel and the presentation of truth to others palatable. If they have a negative and adverse reaction to the flavor of the instruction, the entire effort becomes an effort in futility. (It took me a long time to learn this - and I am still learning it.) On the other hand, if the medicine has been offered once and has been rejected or spit out because of your approach, don't give up. Learn the attributes of wisdom from above, and then ask the Lord to make them genuine attributes of your own character. Go back to the one who needs the ‘medicine’ and apply it with pleasant words utilizing the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit. He is the One who gives you wisdom.