Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Proverbs 15:1-6
Prov 15:1-6
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
Luke 6:43-45
For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
We are told to be kind to each other, being tender-hearted and compassionate toward one another. When our heart is right, our speech will be right, and we will be kind. One of the best ways to do this is to follow the example of Jesus and that means when we are reviled, we bless in return. Often this means we just be quiet and say nothing. We just trust God to take care of us and the other person.
Too often, instead of doing what Jesus said, we want to get even and be as hurtful as the other person was toward us. If they curse us, we want to curse in return. If they slander us, we slander them even worse. But a soft answer turns away wrath and softens hard feelings. We like to read the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus preached, but do we really want to practice what he said? Turn the other cheek. When someone demands something, give them more. Bless instead of curse.
Yet, it is this very attitude that Jesus said would show the world who really belongs to him, his disciples love each other. We pray for our enemies. We love and forgive as God loves and forgives us, that is by grace – even when it is not deserved. But some of the most vindictive language I have ever heard has come from the mouths of preachers. To paraphrase the words of Paul, my brothers and sisters, it should not be this way! Let your light shine so others will see Jesus.
O Lord my God, guard my lips that only that which is good will pass through them and only that which builds up spoken by them. Help me measure my words to be sure that they encourage those who hear them and never turn them away from you. Lord, it is so easy to say things that I should not say, especially when I am angry or frustrated but I know it is still wrong, so please forgive me when I fail to talk like Jesus. Give me a pure heart, a clean heart and a heart devoted to Jesus so my words will be pure and clean. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus’ name.
Robert
