Tell a Person His Fault Alone

Proverbs 25:1–10
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About 250 years after Solomon wrote them, Hezekiah’s men grouped many of these proverbs in units of similar thoughts (v. 1). Man is constantly forced to confess the limits of his understanding (vv. 2-3). God’s thoughts are far above our thoughts (Rom. 11:33-34). God has not chosen to reveal everything about Himself and His plans (Deut. 29:29). He delights in our searching the sacred Scriptures for His mind and will. Just as undesirable slag is removed from … silver (Prov. 27:21), so wicked people are to be removed from the king (vv. 4-5). Getting rid of wicked assistants (Prov. 20:8-26) enables a king to have a righteous reign.

It is wrong for a person to try to promote himself (vv. 6-7). It is likely that he will rate himself far higher than others would. The man who is content with the lowly seat may be called to a higher one if found to be deserving of such recognition. A man must practice care in relationships to avoid conflict with others. We should never jump to hasty conclusions about others since our first impressions may not be true at all (v. 8). Much trouble could be avoided if people were careful to keep their discussions to themselves in place of spreading abroad their differences. In providing evidence against a neighbor in court a plaintiff may be forced to betray a friend’s confidence (vv. 9-10). As a result, the friend may shame him, and the plaintiff may have a loss of reputation.

REPUTATION IS WHAT PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE. REALITY IS WHAT GOD KNOWS YOU ARE!

Application

If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself. Am I as spontaneously kind to God as I used to be, or am I only expecting God to be kind to me? How much kindness have I shown Him this past week? Have I been kind to His reputation in my life?