Chris Harris Here goes! I think I am going to call these posts “Papa’s Pearls.” I’ll explain latter. So here is the official first post of Papa’s Pearls. “A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue.” Proverbs 11:12. So put your input, thoughts, ideas and comments in the comments.
Stephanie Blackmon Harris i am guilty of “deriding” my neighbor at times, but i believe i am a man who is also “derided” against, one who is sometimes very misunderstood. i also think i am a man of understanding, but often impatient. thanks for the scripture, i like it.Fri at 11:08pm ·
Sandra Boley Perrodin Papa Pearl: (when I say you, I don’t mean you but just people in general) I think that part of the lacking of judgement has to do with either a wrong attitude on your part-whether it be thinking more highly of yourself or something else-or not being able to “walk in another person’s shoes” and being able to see things from their perspective. When a person has understanding then he is able to hold his tongue. It takes more intestinal fortitude to not say something than to shoot your mouth off just because you feel like you have to say something. The tongue is such a powerful part of the body.Fri at 11:21pm ·
Chris Harris Here is another translation that sheds some more light on this passage. “He who belittles and despises his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps silent.” So belittling and despising another person demonstrates an absence of judgement which is often tied to wisdom in Proverbs. Whereas a person who keeps silent is demonstrating understanding which is a constant companion of wisdom. What do think?Yesterday at 12:03am ·
Pamela Harris Fagan Three things come to mind: the less said the better, we can’t change others only ourselves, and remember – don’t argue with a pig, you both get dirty and the pig likes it! Holding my tongue is something I’m still learning, but God has been faithful to give me plenty of opportunities to practice.Yesterday at 12:18am ·
Chris Harris Hmm…Pam, so do you think it might be that when we choose to argue with a pig we BECOME a pig… metaphorically speaking of course. And Sandra, are you saying that when we choose to belittle and despise others that it may be because we think more highly of ourselves that we should… like the splinter in your eye log in my eye syndrome kind of thing?Yesterday at 12:28am ·
Stephanie Blackmon Harris You know, I never thought of it that way Chris. So next time someone offends me with their implications or unecessarily and for no good reason, insults or degrades something or someone I love or am giving opportunity to believe in…or that is just good..then I will target them and throw a scripture their way. However, I might do (and have done) what we all have been guilty of at some time or other..RANTING! And often times a RANT gets down right ugly and “derides thy neighbor”. I think I like Pam’s response the most. But we are all Pigs, metaphorically speakikng of course. We all fall short of this sin “deriding” our neighbor (new word for me). I also believe there are two sides to every story and I think it’s important that people be able to fight their own battles without spreading gossip to bring harm to another, or simply be direct in asking both sides what the problem is, if they really want to know. There is usually something behind everything. I do not believe every negative comment, rant or insult is egotistical either. My tongue represents many things such as love, compassion and understanding as well as the ego in me, the projectaratory side of me, and the pig in me. That is human nature. I am working on the pig in me, but again, there are usually two sides to every story. This is my final comment. Goodnight.Yesterday at 2:11am ·
Crystal Harris I think my Papa has true wisdom. ♥ The Word of God has so much to say about controlling our tongues. I know you spent countless hours and years trying to teach me that, haha. 🙂 Here’s one to add to your mix… I don’t particularly care for “The Message” translation of the Bible, but I like how this passage is interpreted:
Proverbs 17:27 – “The one who knows much says little; an understanding person remains calm.”
Personally, I’ve found that the older I’ve gotten, the more mellow I’ve become. Who cares about winning a fight, esp if that fight is dirty. Thinking before you speak has great value.
And finally, one way God would have us use our tongues:
Ephesians 4:29 – “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Building up, not tearing down. That’s Christ’s way, and as followers of Him – “Christians” – may we all strive for that in our speech.
Can I get an amen? Or a whoop whoop!? :DYesterday at 2:14am ·
Stephanie Blackmon Harris i’m sorry, i just saw this posting near the time i posted. your scriptures are well spoken crystal, i wish i knew them by heart, but i do not. i do not wish to win any fight, it is so tiresome. i have fought long enough. your dad does have much wisdom, he is a daddy. but i feel betrayed and i have been upset and i think empathy is a quality we could all use a little more of. as i told you before in a letter, i must work on my tongue…DUH..i can’t hide that. i am not perfect..just angry..and feeling a bit betrayed. goodnight. i’m so tired now.Yesterday at 2:20am ·
Stephanie Blackmon Harris btw…i’m sorry for the insult, i promise you it was a rant a vent, not a true feeling, but more of an emotion. but i have been offended myself.Yesterday at 2:22am ·
Crystal Harris Yes, we could all use more empathy as well as compassion and respect.
Not sure why you singled me out with your post though. I was responding to my dad’s post, not to you, and I always admit that I too need to apply scriptures to my life. You have no reason to feel betrayed.Yesterday at 2:23am ·
Crystal Harris Thanks for the apology.Yesterday at 2:26am ·
Sandra Boley Perrodin So Papa Pearl, is this what you had in mind???? Good discussion and good other “insights” to the scripture. Another saying that I’ve heard is that anytime someone tries to “pull” someone else down with words it’s because you are already “lower” than them and you are trying to pull them down to your lower level-whether it be due to jealousy, insecurity, or whatever. Like I said the tongue is very powerful and we should always use it for good. Crystal I agree that we should be slow to speak and think a lot about what you are about to say before saying it. I don’t agree with the saying “If you’ve thought something already, you might as well say it outloud because you’ve already done wrong in thinking it.” True it is wrong to think bad things but by going ahead and saying them then the words are out there for whoever to hear them and they can’t ever be taken back.Yesterday at 8:31am ·
Pamela Harris Fagan Yep, when we argue we become the pig – methaphorically speaking of course. I facilitate a meeting on Thursday nights where I am having to think carefully before I speak. I am learning for me it is better to share my experience and hope with other – not try and change them or set them straight.Yesterday at 11:33am ·
Chris Harris Wow! This is great! I love this! Such excellent discussion… and insight into true Godly wisdom and its application. Crystal you make me proud (not that I had anything to do with your wisdom). That is excellent insight and application! Building up and not tearing down. That is certainly the way wisdom acts. Sandra that is an interesting thought that might be an insight into the motivations of heart. When we deride (belittle or despise) someone with our words are we really revealing what is inside of us? Wow, that is powerful. It makes me want to duct tape my lips!Plus, I guess I will have to give up “trying to set someone straight.”If I would have had any idea how cool this would be, discussing the Word of God with family and friends without being in the same room, I would have been on FB a long time ago. Keep the discussion going. I would really like to hear from some more of you…. Tom? Rick? Ronny? Mona, feel free to join in if you are reading this. Mother, you too. All of us have insight that we can share and learn from.Yesterday at 12:17pm ·
Dustin Harris Ok, Harris Clan, my turn to chime in. I think the entire chapter of James 3 (I used NKJV) very well compliments this verse.
I will add: Stephanie – in response ONLY to what you posted here:
“My tongue represents many things such as love, compassion and understanding as well as the ego in me, the projectaratory side of me, and the pig in me. That is human nature. I am working on the pig in me, but again, there are usually two sides to every story.”
What you’ve said is true, but in James 3 it says (CAPITALIZED emphasis is mine):
“7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. IT IS AN UNRULY EVIL, FULL OF DEADLY POISON. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, WHO HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE SIMILITUDE OF GOD. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, THESE THINGS OUGHT NOT TO BE SO. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.”
There is wisdom found in these verses. If we are to strive to align ourselves with God’s will, then we are to avoid saying those things which tear down. Remember, when we curse mankind, we curse the likeness of God (God made man in His own image). Just because we are all guilty of it or just because it’s human nature, or just because the Bible explicitly says that “No man can tame the tongue” does NOT excuse it. It points it out to us so that we can strive to avoid the “unruly evil, full of deadly poison”.
Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV): “As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”Yesterday at 2:37pm ·
Chris Harris Well said Dustin. James chapter 3, no actually all of James is about my favorite passage in all of Word. So much meat, so much to learn and apply to a daily walk with Him. While no man can tame the tongue, we have the One living in us who can. All we have to do is yield to His promptings. I once heard someone say that self control is instant obedience to the initial promptings of the Holy Spirit. He will always prompt us to say the things we should and hold our tongue when we should do that. Our job is to yield to that and rely on His Power to follow through. In that way, man is not taming his tongue, God is!So then, might we say that if we are exercising judgement by not belittling and despising someone that we are really yielding to the Holy Spirit and His promptings since James says no man can “tame his tongue?” Wow! Isn’t the Word of God amazing? Proverbs and James, written centuries apart, say the same thing, teach the same thing, and encourage us to walk and live in the same way. I think I am falling in love the Word of God all over again!!Let’s hear from some more of you!!Yesterday at 5:42pm ·
Crystal Harris ♥ I’ve been away from His Word for far too long. This is very good for me… keep it up.Yesterday at 5:45pm ·
Chris Harris Me too Crystal. It’s a deal!Yesterday at 5:48pm ·
Stephanie Blackmon Harris hi y’all. i am not sure if there is any hidden agenda in your words and if this post is directed toward me. because of a post on my FB? ok. i am open to learning and getting insight, but not open to what appears to be a “correction”. good luck with that. it only makes me angry – but now that the anger is worn off i really don’t care anymore. believe me, i know i make people mad sometimes. and i know i have a vile tongue at times. it is a fault of mine that i’m not proud of. but sometiems i am just outright brutally honest and feel its about time someone is (depending on the issue). i can’t apologize for that. but please understand there are members of the harris bunch that are strong in personality also and have said a thing or two that has been upsetting to me. i mean down right upsetting, rude, crude and slanderous. i got over it though. so has not always been a smooth road for me. i have held my tongue because i should and because of my love for my husband. i also love crystal, no matter how pissed off she gets at me. but i think crystal should love me too and fight her own battles alone. she is good at it, she does not need your help. as a matter of fact, she is one of the best writers i know. however, i am not evil, i am a good girl most of the time. and pam, i certainly am not a pig, thank you. not even metaphorically speaking. if i’m mispelling, sorry. if you do not realize that i am a good girl, then that is your problem, not mine. and your curtis loves me dearly. just watch it with the finger pointing, and definitely don’t bother if you are someone who doesn’t even know me. today you hurt me and you hurt curtis as well. i don’t need a lecture on scripture or anyone wanting to set me straight. that is just not good. and my husband is not too convinced of the good intention here, i assure you. if i have completely misconstrued this to be about me..then my apologies, i am dead wrong again. for now though i am going to say goodbye. we have alot going on over here that you all are not aware of and i’ve got to get back. just remember, if you want to make a difference in my life then you talk to me because you won’t get anywhere talking at me. but i am not interested in hearing from people i don’t know though, sorry. it is my facebook and occassionally i need to rant. but i do try to refrain from the cursing. it is a really bad habit. but just as bad is gossiping about a person too. lots of scriptures on that one. and if you want to printout my postings, feel free. my husband knows i have not written anything vile to crystal, not sure where that came from? crystal’s friend maybe? ok, yes, i yanked her chain a bit. i have a sweet little baby girl waiting for her mama..actually she’s climbing my leg as i type. goodnight to you all, stephanie Yesterday at 8:54pm ·
Chris Harris Ok, let me jump in here and clarify something. This post in not and never will be about anyone in particular. There is no hidden agenda. It is not my intention to correct anyone. What would give me the right to do that? I have enough logs im my eyes that I don’t need to be telling others about the splinters in theirs. If I feel that someone is being attacked I will stop this immediately. Stephanie, I am not fighting Crystal’s battle. I am sorry that there is a battle to fight, but I am not fighting her battles. You are quite right that she is quite capable of taking care of herself. I am proud of the way that she has handled herself in her ongoing saga with you, showing restraint and self control. I have not nor will I ever say that you “are not a good girl.” I am not pointing fingers at anyone except maybe myself… I certainly need a greater measure of self control when it comes to my tongue and my words. This is not a lecture on scripture. It is a discussion with my family and friends… and I would like that to inlcude you, but that is your choice. You have misconstrued this to be about you. It is not about you or me or Crystal or anyone else. It is about all of us… all of us who want to be more conformed to the image of Christ. You are right about gossip. It is wrong and God doesn’t like it. Maybe that will be the next topic of discussion after we finish discussing this passage. If that is the case I hope you have some insight that you can share with the rest of us.
Now, can we get on with the discussion? I am looking forward to more excellent insight from you guys. Come on… share your wisdom.Yesterday at 9:28pm ·
Crystal Harris I can’t speak for my dad, but for me, we’re discussing scripture to grow. Dad and I, and Dustin and I, mom and I, and when she was alive, my Granny and I… we’ve done this for years. My senior citizen old guy dad just so happened to discover the 21st century. 🙂 😉
We’re all to be open to correction by the Lord, and the way the Lord speaks *to* us and *through* us is by His written Word.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
If the Word offends, then that should be our signal that we need to change. Believe me, I’ve told God “ouch!” more than most, and have fallen to my knees in sorrow and repentance over offending His spirit and glory by my words and deeds over and over. And over. But His purpose isn’t to hurt and cut… it’s to cause us to conform to His image so we can be in perfect fellowship with Him. We all have a long, long way to go.Yesterday at 9:36pm ·
Chris Harris That’s my little girl that said that!! (No credit being taken, just proud of my little girl.) What is that “senior citizen, old guy” stuff? By the way, I LOVE that scripture. Maybe we should put that one on the list for Papa’s Pearls in the future.Yesterday at 10:04pm ·
Papa's Pearls 