This chapter has a lot to do with how I speak – I need to pay attention to my words, and how I talk to others – gossip, complaining, etc.
The verses that really stick out to me are 9 and 19 – about a nagging wife. The truth is, though, is that often I am the one who nags more. I am the one who criticizes and complains – and that is a huge burden on my spouse. Someone once said, “If you life with a judge, you are always on trial.” I don’t want my wife to feel as though she is constantly being evaluated – I want her to be encouraged and cherished, supported and loved. God is working on this in me.
How about you? Do our words build up others – especially the ones we love? We can still challenge others – but I have to do this from a position of safety, not attack, so that my wife knows I am not against her but we are working together in love. That is hard sometimes, because life is hard and issues come up. These verses are not about the big issues, but about the constant nagging – and the wearing down of the confidence of a spouse. I want to use my words to build up my spouse.
http://nlt.scripturetext.com/proverbs/21.htm
