Proverbs 25:23-28 – Four harmful habits we all need to avoid

Apart from taking care of our spiritual, mental and physical life, we also need to take care of our social-emotional relationship. Until all four dimensions (spiritual, mental, social-emotional and physical) are in good functioning order, our quest for total wholeness in life will suffer a setback. The book of Proverbs has a great deal to say about improving social-emotional relationships. We have dealt with quite a few principles already in Proverbs 25:1-22. Many of them instruct us on what to do as well as warn us concerning what not to do, if we are to have a healthy interpersonal relationship. In these last six verses, we will see four more warnings on conducts to avoid if we are to relate well with others.

Verse 23 warns us against slandering. In essence, this verse is saying that slandering and talking behind someone’s back will certainly incur his or her anger when the person comes to hear about it. As surely as north wind will usher in cold rain, so will malicious rumours about someone incur his anger, change his countenance and arouse his wrath.

Verses 24-25 warn against seclusion. While nagging and contention drive people away, good news, even if they are received occasionally, can refresh a person’s insolation. The idea is not to be contentious, causing separation. But for those who are tempted to be contentious and nagging, it is better to be positive and be a bearer of good news. Just imagine if occasional good news can cheer a person up, how much more when we speak positively and avoid being contentious all the time. Here’s a word to the man. Be wise, treat your wife well, make her your queen and you will automatically be her king.

Verse 26 warns against being a coward. When we fail to stand up for the truth and be the person we ought to be, we are not useful to the community. This is especially true for us believers living in a fallen world. As members of God’s family, each one of us is only as useful as our conducts, which show fearlessly that we belong to the camp of the righteous and will not wilt or bow to sin. If we do not stand up for the truth, we are like wells that are polluted and the walls broken. Like such a useless well, which cannot provide life refreshing water, a cowardly person cannot offer life reviving truths. Essentially, this verse urges us to stand up and be a faithful witness to the truth in words and in conduct. As we stay uncompromised as far as the truth is concerned, we give no room for sinners to bring an accusation against the LORD.

Verses 27-28 warn against a life that is lacking self-control. Honey is tasty and have good effect for life. However, over-consuming it can be counter-effective. Like honey, to have a glory in the right proportion can bring positive effect on a person, but to be overly engrossed in seeking glory for oneself will lead to self-aggrandisement and eventually self-delusion that he is everything. A person who has no self-restraint is like a defenceless city with broken walls. He cannot deal with his or her personal impulses. Such a person is weak indeed. Self-control is strength.

We need to deal with all four areas if we are to have total wholeness. If we don't have victory over them, it will affect our total wholeness. The ultimate victory we desire to have in life dictates that we must have incremental victory in the sum total of all areas of our life. Remember, a big door swings on small hinges