Proverbs 11.29
“Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.”
Have you noticed that there are troublemakers in the world? There are people who bring trouble to their household; that is, there are people who are disruptive to their family, their place of work, their church, or their team. There are people who are disruptive and bring trouble to our society.
How do people bring trouble to their “household?”
- Rebellion against God and his standards.
When people reject the Lord and his standards, they practice and promote things that are not right. They practice and promote wrong thinking, wrong standards, and wrong behavior.
“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds.” (Psalm 14.1)
- Selfishness
Self-centeredness is possibly the root of all the trouble that people bring to their family or work or team. When we are selfish, we cause all kind of problems for the people around us.
“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” (James 3.14-16)
- Greed
When people are greedy, they cause lots of problems for lots of people. “Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household.“ (Prov. 15:27). The book of James warns also warns against selfish greed, and its negative impact on any group of people.
“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” (James 3.14-16)
- Mismanaged emotion.
Everyone has emotion, and everyone experiences strong impulses. But if you don’t have the self-discipline to manage your emotions, if you don’t build the skill and develop the ability to control your impulses, you will bring trouble to yourself and to the people around you.
“Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city” (Prov 16:32).
“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” (Prov 25.28)
- Reckless speech.
People who operate from a heart of hatred and wickedness use their words to hurt people and to conceal the violence they intend. Ultimately, however, the negative things that a fool says will bring disaster. By continuing to speak recklessly, a fool causes problems that eventually bring ruin.
“With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor.” (Proverbs 11.9)
“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense. The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.” (Proverbs 10.11-14)
Stay away from troublemakers. And need I say, don’t be a troublemaker?
