Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
0.11UNLIKELY
Disgust
0.14UNLIKELY
Fear
0.08UNLIKELY
Joy
0.62LIKELY
Sadness
0.13UNLIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.69LIKELY
Confident
0.06UNLIKELY
Tentative
0UNLIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.92LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.89LIKELY
Extraversion
0.47UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.41UNLIKELY
Emotional Range
0.82LIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
12 Wisdom for leaders
The book of Proverbs was written primarily by a king (Solomon) to impart wisdom to future rulers.
Chapter 31 begins with words of wisdom taught to King Lemuel by his mother.
The books of Kings and Chronicles show how the principles of Proverbs are worked out for good and ill in the lives of the kings of Israel and Judah.
A manual for leadership
Now that there is no longer a theocracy under the New Covenant, how do these principles of leadership apply to us today?
The essential teachings of Proverbs about the duties of rulers apply to all nations.
Earthly rulers are still to reflect the righteous character of God and are accountable to him.
Furthermore, in democratic societies we have the privilege of participating in choosing our leaders and making laws.
The principles of Proverbs should be applied by us as we exercise our political rights, seeking to choose leaders who will act wisely and make good laws.
Also, the principles about leadership in Proverbs apply to others who are in authority—in the church, in a business, and in the family.
A wise leader reflects God’s holy character
Politicians of every political stripe often invoke the name of God in their speeches.
On whose side is God?
Or better still: Which rulers are on God’s side.
He is righteous
Some people claim that it doesn’t matter how a ruler lives so long as he or she governs well.
But wisdom proclaims that character counts when it comes to leadership: ‘It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, for a throne is established on righteousness’ (16:12).
If a politician wants to have a positive impact on the nation, he or she must live well.
If a father wants his children to be righteous, he must set a godly example.
Most of the qualifications for leadership in the church deal with moral character, which is more important than charisma or giftedness (1 Tim.
3:1–7).
He is not greedy
‘The king gives stability to the land by justice, but a man who takes bribes overthrows it’ (29:4).
Those in power are often in a position to enrich themselves.
There are extensive warnings in the Old Testament against this vice (Deut.
17:16–17; 1 Sam.
8:10–18).
One of the qualifications for a leader in the church is that he be ‘free from the love of money’ (1 Tim.
3:3b).
The early church was polluted by some leaders who tried to use their positions for financial gain (1 Tim.
6:5; 2 Cor.
2:17).
He is not enslaved to substance abuse
‘It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink, for they will drink and forget what is decreed, and pervert the rights of all the afflicted’ (31:4–5).
Substance abuse impairs judgement and makes a leader unfit to carry on his or her responsibilities.
The wise man is sober, alert, and self-controlled.
Inebriation often leads to other sins, such as fighting, sexual immorality, and blasphemy (20:1).
Those who abuse substances suffer physically and financially.
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9