15:1 It is more productive for us to respond with patience in heated and tumultuous situations. Our own serene demeanor is more likely to calm the person and situation we are involved in. It also helps us to respond more effectively to a situation which needs a solution but seems to lack one. Instead of inciting more anger, it is better to dismantle the tumult with objectivity and patience.
15:2 A wise person uses their knowledge to assist and align people and situations with truth and justice. It is evil to use our knowledge and wisdom for corrupt, personal pursuits. A foolish person spews their supposed-knowledge but only harms the situation with their faulty views and bad advice.
15:3 It is a comfort to remember that God is alert and active in our lives. His vigilance ensures that we have His expert opinion and counsel, but also nourishment and protection. He is aware of every aspect and individual, which makes His the distribution of His justice and compassion rich and complex and wise.
15:4 A wholesome, that is: honorable and kind, soul is a source of life for the speaker and the people around them. However, perverseness corrupts a person's character and causes them to be a toxin to the people around them.
15:5 Proverbs really wants us to understand how important it is to be reception to instruction. Even if the only source of instruction we have is from God in scripture, it is the best and only source we need. It is foolish to reject the opportunity to learn; there is so much wisdom to be gleaned from experiences in life (our own and others, from the good and the bad).
15:6 A righteous person's life is filled with valuable treasure: the love, presence and blessing of God ensures that a person has everything they need to thrive.
15:7 A wise person is not afraid or reluctant to share important things with others if they noticed a need. God teaches us to share our knowledge and resources and time with people who would benefit from what we have.
15:8-9 God does not enjoy or accept sacrifices as proclamations or offerings of faith. God only delights in the authentic prayers of righteous and compassionate people.
15:10 Discipline is able to correct a person and their path; but the refusal to learn and change can destroy a person.
15:11 God is involved in our heart and purpose if welcome Him to be; He is fully invested to help us build a righteous life and inherit His kingdom. He is fully able to see our options, good and bad, and wants to assist us in choosing the right one.
15:12 We have to teach ourselves to be receptive to constructive criticism; we don't always know the best way or have the best idea. Listening to others ideas, even if we do not always follow them, helps us to broaden our scope, develop new strategies and think in diverse ways. The more varied our experience the more complex our knowledge.
15:13 A happy heart inspires a cheerful demeanor, but of course sorrow causes one's spirit to dampen its light.
15:14 A wise person naturally seeks knowledge but a foolish person wastes time with random and purposeless activities. God wants us to be productive, observant, students of life.
15:15 To build a strong relationship with God is to celebrate life continually; He gives peace and joy to His children while wickedness tarries and loiters and plots with tumult.
15:16-17 God wants us to learn that quality is better than quantity. Reverence of God and a humble life is a happier more valued existence than faithlessness and wealth. Likewise, love in a humble place is better than hatred in a lavish one.
15:18 Wrath only worsens a situation or argument. However an even-temperament helps to de-stress and de-tangle a situation or argument. If we are able to listen, think and speak calmly, we are more likely to end a difficult situation than to feed it.
15:19 To live with unrighteousness is to go against the current; but God assists the righteous on their journey.
15:20 It is wise to live life with the intention of making our Father proud. God loves us and cares for us as children, it makes sense that we should look up to and emulate Him.
15:21 God wants more for our lives than for us to be foolish and vulnerable and ignorant. He teaches us to discern and to seek knowledge. He teaches us to pursue and uphold righteousness. He has a plan for us to walk uprightly, we need only to listen to Him to understand the directions.
15:22 When we make plans for our day, for our lives, for our friendships or relationships, we must seek counsel from God. He helps us to see the things we cannot, perceive things we missed, step carefully and move progressively forward. What doesn't occur to us is obvious to Him; if our eyes are on our Father, we will never miss a step.
15:23 It is euphoric to receive the answer we have been waiting for at the time we want/need it most.
15:24 Life continues to become richer and deeper in quality the more righteously we live.
15:25 The arrogant will be brought down; the humble will be established. There is no honor in an arrogant lifestyle; it neglects and rejects others' needs and the reality of the surrounding world. But a humble person understands their place in a family and lives knowing their responsibility to assist others.
15:26 God is displeased with evil thoughts and plots; but it brings Him joy to hear righteous thoughts. We are blessed that our Creator has chosen righteousness as His philosophy.
15:27 Greed destroys a person and all of the good things in their lives. Pursuit of temptations causes one to be deceptive and corrupt and distracted. While otherwise engaged, they forget to nourish the important things in their life and eventually lose them. But a just person, one who is careful to resist temptation, is preserved by God.
15:28 A wise person is thoughtful and careful to speak and answer; but a wicked person spews their immediate and rash reactions.
15:29 God is so present with His righteous children; He hears our prayers, cares and answers: swiftly and with compassion and skill. But the wicked have blocked out His voice and He resists theirs.
15:30 A kind soul is reflected as light in the eyes; and a good, productive life is health to the body.
15:31-33 It is careless to live in rejection of God's instruction. Those who listen and learn are wise and blessed by their Teacher and His lessons. Wisdom begins with reverence of God (willingness to righteousness) and humility. We cannot obtain honor or wisdom with humility and conscientiousness.
