Proverbs 29:1-9 – How to be morally sound

Everyone needs to live a life that is morally sound. One good advice concerning morality is this: we should live life in such a way that when you are badmouthed, no one will believe it. It is true that trust in life takes years to build, a second to break and forever to repair. Hence, we should cultivate a life of sound moral. Proverbs 29 is the concluding series of proverbs beginning from chapter 25, that King Hezekiah got his men to transcribe. It contains a series of good tips on how to live morally.

Proverbs 29:1 teaches us not to resist correction or else we may reach a point where we will have to face a disaster in the end. It may come unexpectedly and suddenly. This verse calls us not to live with a hardened heart. Using the illustration of an obstinate animal that keeps resisting to yield to the yoke, verse 1 depicts a person who refuses to submit to authority. This person will have to face serious consequences. Since he resists and is impervious to correction, he has no hope of restoration.  

A ruler must seek to lead with a high standard of uprightness. This is the call of Proverbs 29:2. Though this verse encourages the ruler of the land to do so, it is applicable for all who takes leadership position in any other form. With high standard of uprightness, the standard of morality will be upkept in any country or organization. But when that is absent, citizens of that country or followers of that leader will suffer oppression and groan. There will be much complaining, murmuring, and gripping. It is obvious from this verse that we should choose to be upright leaders.    

Proverbs 29:3 is a call to live wisely. A man who lives with wisdom will make his father glad. He avoids a life of loose morality. This verse uses being a companion with prostitutes to represent loose morality. If a person fails to guard his life from immorality, his riotous living will cause him to lose his wealth as well. The father of such a son will have no security and has to suffer great emotional torment.

Proverbs 29:4 comes back to the issue of leadership again. A ruler of a land or the leader of an organization will bring stability to the country or organization when his leadership is exercised without prejudice. A fair leader always creates a sense of security. A corrupt leader who can be bribed destabilizes a country or an organization. A lack of integrity will bring about ruin to a land or an organization.   

Proverbs 29:5 discourages flattery, which is a form of deceit. It is smooth talk that is designed to mislead a person. By flattery a person actually sets a trap for his listener. His untruthful blandishment will cause the listener to wrongly appraise himself and be put off-guard. He will then be susceptible to needless risks. This verse suggests that we should evaluate carefully any praise showered upon us. Do not be hook-winked and thus be misled by untruth dressed-up in praise.   

Proverbs 29:6 admonishes us to ensure that we are not caught in the web of wrongdoing. When an evil man fails to realize his wrong, he will be caught in a web of transgression. We need to live life carefully. Keep short accounts, have periodical introspection, identify our flaws, and correct them. Or else we will come to a point when we will become callous and live a life insensitive to sin. Be alert to things that are not right. We need to repent, make amends and align our steps. On the opposite end, a person who seeks to live a righteous life will have a joyful life. He is not plagued by wrongdoing.

Proverbs 29:7 encourages us to consider the plight of the needy. Because of our relationship with the LORD, we have a different perspective concerning the less fortunate.  We should exercise concern and be sympathetic toward the plight they face. So long as we are able, let’s give a helping hand. We should not behave like the wicked who are totally nonchalant about the plight of the poor. They pay no attention to the rights nor to the cry of the needy.  

Proverbs 29:8-9, warn against inordinate anger. Verse 8 tells us that people who are filled with disrespect have the tendency to incite others to create chaos in a society or an organization. They delight in initiating disorderliness. They scoff at sound policy because it is disadvantage to them. They will set out to create strife within that community or organization. People who are considerate and wise seek to pacify and douse the fire of discontentment to bring peace and harmony. Verse 9 tells us that to debate with a fool is futile. He either scorns at the argument or becomes unduly upset and fly off the handle. No issue can be resolved with such a person. Trying to reason with him is an exercise in futility.  As children of the Heavenly Father, we must pursue a moral life. This will bring honor to His name.