Proverbs 17:26-28 – The need for proper restraint in life

Wisdom in the book of proverbs has to do with relationship. A wise person knows how to live life with propriety and dignity. The wiser a person is, the better he will relate with others. The last three verses of Proverbs 17 show us what it means to exercise restraint in life.

In order to ensure orderliness in the home or society, corrective measure is often needful to ensure proper conduct and behaviour in life. But in administering corrective measure, one must ensure that it is done for the right reason and to the right person. To punish a person who is righteous and does no wrong is a perversion of justice.  And God is against the perversion of justice. Punishment is meant for the wayward and rebellious. Thus, it will be unjust to punish the righteous. On the other hand, it is also wrong to come against people who are noble. The noble is referring to people who adhere to sound principles. This sort of people dislike compromise hence it is wrong to punish them for their integrity.

Verse 27 tells us that to refrain from needless talk is wise. Remember what James 1:26 says, “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.” It is needful to exercise restraint in one’s speech. The truth is this: when one speaks recklessly he demonstrates a lack of self-control. It is true that wanton, reckless words can create needless enmity and create strife in a relationship. When one refuses to engage in needless talk he is considered wise. Even a fool when he refuses to engage in mindless talk is considered wise. But once he opens his mouth, he proves his foolishness beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Bear in mind that excessive talk may be an indication of a shallow mind. And when we are at peace within ourselves, we can come to any given situation with a composed spirit. In Ecclesiastes 3, Solomon tells us that there is a season for everything in life. In the second part of Ecclesiastes 3:7, he specifically said, there is “a time to be silent and a time to speak.”   This is exercising self-restraint and we must all cultivate it.