Proverbs 29:20

New International Version (NIV)

Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
There is more hope for a fool than for them.

For meditation

He should have kept quiet, and rather pondered over what the Lord said. But he ran his mouth.

“Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison or to death” (Lk. 22:33).

What the Lord told Peter was true and full of grace.

 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail” (31-32).

Peter needed that; for a day was coming when he would deny his master in a painful way. It would be his weakest moment, and grace was the only blessing that would sustain him. Listen to the tone of the Master’s voice: “Simon, Simon.” How affectionate! But, impetuous Peter was true to his nature and responded hastily. Paradoxically, Peter was denying Jesus even then. For, to refute Jesus’ word is to deny Him. Unfortunately, we do so many times, especially, when pressed to the corner and we struggle to look good.

Ever gracious and compassionate, Jesus said:

“I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me” (34).

Why would anybody contrast God? How could anyone deny the prediction of Jesus who is the Truth and All-knowing? Peter could do that with everybody else, but the One he had earlier confessed as, “The Messiah, Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16), and seen His glory on the Mt. of Transfiguration (17:2)?

The fact is, we don’t get it completely concerning Jesus until we come to the empty tomb. His words may hit us with the freshness and power of God, and we may marvel at them. We may experience His miracles, healing, and deliverance daily. But, until we come to grips with the reality of His resurrection as a daily experience in our lives, we cannot live in the new life He gives, with renewed minds. We will deny Him when it counts most.

We look so pathetic when we adorn our self-justification garbs. Unfortunately, our hasty responses reveal our folly in places where we often live to regret them. Peter regretted this day, when he denied Jesus three times at His trial before the High Priest (22:60-62). However, things changed for him when the full glory of the Lord was revealed in His resurrection, and the Holy Spirit baptized him at Pentecost.

So, for we who have embraced the historical fact of His resurrection, and have the Spirit of Truth indwelling us, we cannot be hasty in our listening and studying of His word. Otherwise, our responses in life will also be hasty and wrong.

Proverbs 29:20 says:

“Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
There is more hope for a fool than for them” (Prov. 29:20).

So, muffle it! Take the counsel of James 1:19 and bring along self-control, which the Holy Spirit freely gives when you yield to Him. It will conceal your folly.

Shalom