Proverbs 13:1-13 – Discipline and godly living

Instructions and discipline are needful if we seek to advance in life. Like the earlier chapters of Proverbs, these verses are set in the context of a father-son relationship. If life is to be fully attained and appreciated, godly instructions and discipline are key elements to help us reach it. To begin with, a wise son is one who listens to his father’s instruction and sets his heart to obey his godly counsel. It’s true that our parents had seen more days and eaten more salt then we have eaten rice. Their insights are usually more honed and keen. A son or a daughter who has one to advise him or her is blessed indeed. We must take heed to their instructions. A person who rebuffs the instruction given is likened to a scoffer. He does not listen and even if he does, he mocks and resists the moral principles and spiritual insights given. Such a person will amount to nothing eventually. Here Solomon delineated several areas disciple must be exercised.   

Verses 2-3 deal with the discipline of words. In the earlier chapters, Solomon already talked about the importance of controlling our lips. Here in these two verses, he again reiterates it. Our words will either help us to lead a peaceful life or lead us into a life of misery. By the words we speak, we elicit the good will or the scorn of the people we relate with. But one who schemes evil and lives life at the expense of others, will find the violence he has schemed, boomerang back to affect him. One who learns to guard what he says keeps his life. He speaks judiciously. Whereas one who speaks unnecessarily will come to ruin. His words will cost him his life. Verse 4 deals with the discipline regarding work. A lazy person has appetite but not the will or desire to pursue work. To have good intention but not the will to act is pointless. But one who diligently goes about his task will be satisfied with plenty.

Verse 5-9 say, “A righteous man hates falsehood, but a wicked man acts disgustingly and shamefully.” This is about exercising discipline in the way one lives. What this means is that one who is righteous hates lying and falsehood. He is not given to act deceitfully but in fact detests it. Whereas a wicked man acts and lives disgustingly. He brings shame to himself and has no regard for those he ought to honour. A person who walks righteously finds his life being guarded. He does not stray into paths that spell disaster. Staying on the straight and narrow way, he is not attracted by the glamour of the broad way. In so doing, he is preserved from evil. And unlike the wicked, he is not destabilized by sins. Besides, he seeks to live a disciplined lifestyle. He lives within his means and does not live to impress others. Such a person is true to himself. He does not pretend that he is rich when he is not. Neither will he feign poor when he has the wealth. He lives appropriately and measuredly. He lives without flaunting his wealth or feigning poverty. This suggests that we should not trust impression and judge a book by its cover. Verse 8 tells us that a person who parades his wealth live life with a threat hanging over his head. He exposes himself to the exploitation of others. Whereas a poor has no such threat and has nothing to be blackmailed. In verse 9, with a disciplined lifestyle one finds grace and virtue. He does not do life with gloom. His cheerful disposition is an attraction to others. But one who is wicked may put up an empty show only to realize that it will soon be extinguished.  

Verse 10 teaches us to seek discipline in relating to others. In relationship, one must be measured. Contentions are usually started by arrogance. When one is not insistent and is willing to be reasonable, and be willing to back down, any quarrel can be dealt with amiably. When a person is conceited and haughty, quarrel shall be the call of the day. But a person who humbles himself and seeks counsel will find the capacity to end any quarrel.

Another area in life needing discipline is the handling of one’s wealth. Verse 11 suggests that riches and assets that one has acquired dishonestly or illegitimately usually do not last. They will never be approved or blessed by God. But what wealth one honestly works for will surely increase. Bear in mind that there is no get-rich-quick scheme that can be sustained over the long haul. Wealth hastily gathered is usually quickly squandered.

Verse 12 counsels us to handle disappointment with care. If we don’t exercise discipline regarding our expectation, we may be discouraged easily. Discouragement has a way of minimizing our joy and diminishing our vitality. Hence, we need to manage our expectation. We need to plan realistically and not to set our bar to an unachievably high. For when we don’t deal with our expectation carefully, we will end up in despair. But when we handle our hope realistically, we can achieve it in good time and with good measure, and find great fulfilment in life. When our goals in life are attained, we are invigorated. This is part and parcel of an abundant life.

Verse 13 is critical for us as people who love God. We must never relegate the importance of obeying God. This must be given high priority in life. Obeying the Word of God is what guarantees our wholeness. When we walk with obedience to the Word, we will walk with reverential fear to the true source of living. Remember, being obedient is the best evidence of our love for God. It demonstrates faith and trust in Him.  Let us not call Him Lord and then not obey His Word.