Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Proverbs 10:29-32
Prov 10:29-32
The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers. The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land. The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.
James 3:6-10
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
Jesus said that what comes out of the mouth is a reflection of what is in our hearts. This is true both for the negative and the positive, for the vulgar and for the sublime. As we become partakers of the diving nature, we will use our lips to say things that will build up and will encourage others, instead of being critical or saying things that would do harm to others.
The wisdom from above is peaceful, gentle and reasonable. It is not contentious, and it does not seek to stir up strife. This wisdom is based on the love of God so it will lead us to act and speak as he wants us to do. His wisdom teaches us to get along with people, even when we don’t agree on everything. It shows us how to return kindness for hatred and when to keep our mouth shut.
Most of us have said things we wished we had not said. Just as the words leave our lips, we wish we could pull them back in. We may apologize but once a word has been spoken, it can never be unspoken. This is why James tells us to be quick to hear but to be slow to speak. Listen. Think. Then decide if speaking is best or if it is better to just not say anything.
O Lord God, give me wisdom to listen better and to think clearly before I open my mouth to say anything. Help me use my tongue to praise you and to honor your holy name. Be with those who are hurting and who are struggling and give them your peace that surpasses understanding. Give us leaders who will respect you and your word so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness. I humbly pray in the name of Jesus my Lord and my Savior.
Robert
