God’s Wisdom for Daily Living

Proverbs Day 308 (KJV):

Proverbs 27:15-16 (KJV):
15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
16 Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.

Proverbs 27:15-16 (AMP):
15 A continual dripping on a day of violent showers and a contentious woman are alike;
16 Whoever attempts to restrain (a contentious woman) might as well try to stop the wind -- his right hand encounters oil (and she slips through his fingers).

These verses from Proverbs tell us that a contentious woman is very hard to deal with; that being the case, it would be wisdom to avoid marrying a woman like that. If a man has a good wife, he is blessed; however, one who is contentious and nags continually, is a curse to him. The dictionary definition of the word "contentious" is "always ready to argue, quarrelsome." A woman who nags all the time and complains all the time, is just like listening to dripping water. We all know listening to the sound of something going "drip, drip, drip, drip, drip" is quite unsettling and gets on your nerves after a time. Nagging wives can cause the same reaction as a dripping sound that does not cease.

Verse 16 tells us that a contentious woman, because of her argumentative nature, is also like trying to stop the wind. The other analogy given is like trying to hold on to something when your hands are covered with oil. It would just slip through your fingers. Another Proverb states that it is better to dwell in the wilderness than end up with a contentious and angry woman.

Proverbs 21:19: It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

The Bible tells us that those who are contentious will reap what they are sowing by yielding to unrighteousness, indignation and wrath. They will have tribulation and anguish in the earth and could end up in hell. However, we are told those that yield to God and do good works will receive glory, honour and peace.

Romans 2:5-11:
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

The opposite of a contentious woman is a virtuous woman. The value of a godly woman is spoken of in:

Proverbs 31:10-12:
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

What husband would not love a woman like that? He may have houses and riches, but money cannot buy a virtuous woman. She truly is a gift from God, as it takes God in her life to be the kind of woman that is lovely and good.

Dear Heavenly Father, I am thankful that when we come to You, we can be set free of any character traits that are not like You. Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I do not allow any angry words to come out of my mouth. Lord, help me not to yield to a contentious attitude nor have an argumentative spirit. May I be a kind and loving person that is a peacemaker. Help me to speak gracious things and to be a good witness in all that I say and do. May I always love and do good to my husband all the days of my life. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.