Proverbs 15.27
“Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.”
Some people are greedy and willing to cheat to get money or gain position and power. These people are arrogant and manipulative. When they get caught, they bring great embarrassment and trouble to their “household,” which is a reference to their family, their organization, or even their community. Greedy, deceitful people are toxic, and they have negative impact on the people and community around them.
Wise people work hard and do the right thing. They don’t cut corners. They don’t try to cheat. They don’t seek bribes. They do not put themselves and their household at risk. They are a blessing to the people and community and people around them.
Proverbs 15.28
“The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.”
Wise people Press Pause and think and pray before responding. They are reflective, thoughtful, and intentional about what they say. They seek God’s wisdom. Foolish people are impetuous and reactionary. They do not press pause. They are impulsive and quick to give their opinion. They do not seek God’s wisdom. They are quick to speak without thinking.
Pressing pause does three things for you:
- Slow down impulse.
- Get off autopilot
- Get clarity on E+R=O.
How you see a situation determines how you will respond to it. Pressing pause means using time – a split second, a few minutes, a day – to increase your situational awareness, seek the Lord’s wisdom, and find and focus on what matters. In simple terms, it is thinking before responding, but in a more disciplined and skillful way. Pressing Pause allows you to see with clarity and respond with discipline.
Clarity is power.
When you experience a situation, press pause and get off autopilot. Use E+R=O to organize and focus your thinking. The more challenging the situation, the more important it is that you press pause, pray, and gain clarity. Pressing pause slows down default and speeds up discipline. It accelerates you to clarity about what you need to say or do.
The discipline to press pause and gain clarity is a theme in the book of Proverbs.
“Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.” (Proverbs 14.29)
“Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.” (Proverbs 19:2)
“It is a snare to say rashly, ‘It is holy,’ and to reflect only after making vows.” (Proverbs 20:25)
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5) One of the modern translations renders the verse this way: “A well-thought-out plan will work to your advantage, but hasty actions will cost you dearly.”
“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” (Proverbs 25:28)
“Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” (Proverbs 29:20)
Impulsive reaction is the realm of the old nature. It is foolish. It is what the Enemy wants us to do. Thoughtful, intentional response is the realm of our new nature in Christ. It is wise. It is what the Lord wants us to do.
Think of the surgeon. The commercial pilot. The customer service rep. The mom/dad dealing with an emotional teenager. The teenager dealing with a challenging situation at school. The husband and wife having an argument. In all these circumstances, it is imperative to be calm, focused, and self-controlled.
Wisdom dictates that we build a “Press Pause” discipline into our lives. To do otherwise is to invite disaster. There is enormous power in trusting God, pressing pause, praying for wisdom, and responding with discipline.
