June 7 — The Slow Work of Humility
SCRIPTURE READING:
Proverbs 13-15
SCRIPTURE:
Passage: Proverbs 13
¹ A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
² A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
³ He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
⁴ The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
⁵ A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
⁶ Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
⁷ There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
⁸ The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
⁹ The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
¹⁰ Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
¹¹ Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
¹² Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
¹³ Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
¹⁴ The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
¹⁵ Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
¹⁶ Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
¹⁷ A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
¹⁸ Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
¹⁹ The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
²⁰ He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
²¹ Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.
²² A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
²³ Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
²⁴ He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
²⁵ The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
Passage: Proverbs 14
¹ Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
² He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
³ In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
⁴ Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
⁵ A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
⁶ A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
⁷ Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
⁹ Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
¹⁰ The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
¹¹ The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
¹² There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
¹³ Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
¹⁴ The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
¹⁵ The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
¹⁶ A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
¹⁷ He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
¹⁸ The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
¹⁹ The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
²⁰ The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
²¹ He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
²² Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
²³ In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
²⁴ The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
²⁵ A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
²⁶ In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
²⁷ The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
²⁸ In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
²⁹ He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
³⁰ A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
³¹ He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
³² The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
³³ Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
³⁴ Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
³⁵ The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
Passage: Proverbs 15
¹ A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
² The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
³ The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
⁴ A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
⁵ A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
⁶ In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
⁷ The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
⁸ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
⁹ The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
¹⁰ Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
¹¹ Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
¹² A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
¹³ A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
¹⁴ The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
¹⁵ All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
¹⁶ Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
¹⁷ Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
¹⁸ A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
¹⁹ The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
²⁰ A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
²¹ Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
²² Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
²³ A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
²⁴ The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
²⁵ The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
²⁶ The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
²⁷ He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
²⁸ The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
²⁹ The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
³⁰ The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
³¹ The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
³² He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
³³ The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
DEVOTIONAL:
Proverbs 13 through 15 feel like a workshop on becoming teachable. The repeated contrast is not only between the righteous and the wicked, but between the wise and the stubborn. Wisdom is presented as a willingness to receive correction, to delay gratification, and to prefer truth over ego. That is why these chapters keep returning to discipline, counsel, and the danger of a mouth that runs ahead of the heart.
One of the most searching realities here is that hope and desire shape behavior. “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick,” Proverbs 13 says, and we know that sickness: when we expect life to satisfy us quickly, we become fragile and angry. Scripture does not deny disappointment, but it redirects us. A desire fulfilled is sweet, yet wisdom teaches us to want what God approves, or else the sweetness becomes poison.
Proverbs 14 and 15 push hard on speech and anger. A soft answer turning away wrath is not mere politeness; it is strength under control. It takes humility to refuse the easy thrill of winning an argument. It takes faith to believe that God can defend you without you becoming cruel. The fear of the LORD produces a posture that can be corrected, because it recognizes that God is the One who finally sees and judges.
These chapters also tie household life to spiritual health. A disciplined child, a peaceful home, a truthful mouth, and a cheerful heart are not random lifestyle tips. They are the fruit of covenant living. Israel was called to teach God’s words diligently, to love neighbor, to pursue justice, and to walk in humility. Proverbs shows how that covenant calling lands in the kitchen, the commute, and the conversation.
Jesus displays the humility Proverbs commends. He did not retaliate, even when falsely accused. He welcomed correction from the Father, submitting His will in perfect obedience. Through His cross, He forgives our pride, and through His Spirit, He forms in us a gentleness that is not weakness but Christlike strength.
In daily life, practice humility as a daily rhythm rather than a personality trait. Receive correction without spinning, apologize without excuses, and learn to answer conflict with a soft word that refuses to inflame. Teach your children, and let your children sometimes teach you, by forcing you to slow down and be patient. In the church, pursue counsel and accountability, because isolation is a nursery for stubbornness.
In U.S. civic life, the virtue of civility rooted in truth can lower the temperature without surrendering convictions. Pray for neighborhoods, schools, and public meetings to be places where disagreements do not become contempt. Christians should show up as calm, honest people whose gentleness makes room for real conversation and whose firmness keeps them from compromise.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Where do you resist correction most, and what does that resistance reveal about your fears or pride?
How does Proverbs connect your inner desires with your outer behavior?
Why is a soft answer a form of strength rather than weakness?
What specific practice could help you cultivate humility in your home and in your church relationships?
PRAYER:
ADORATION:
LORD, You are gentle and lowly in heart, yet You are perfectly strong. Your wisdom is pure, peaceable, and full of mercy.
CONFESSION:
I confess that I often defend myself more quickly than I defend Your honor. I have nursed anger, resisted correction, and spoken harshly. Forgive me and soften my heart.
THANKSGIVING:
Thank You that You do not break bruised reeds and that You teach sinners patiently. Thank You for Jesus, whose humility saves and whose gentleness restores.
SUPPLICATION – GENERAL:
Train me to receive rebuke with gratitude and to give counsel with kindness. Guard my words in moments of stress. Make my home a place of peace, and give me courage to repent quickly when I am wrong.
SUPPLICATION – U.S. / CIVIC:
Grant peaceable wisdom to our communities where tension and anger are rising. Help leaders and citizens speak truth without cruelty. Make the church a faithful witness that models humility, patience, and sincere love of neighbor.
SCRIPTURE: A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1