Daily Devotional
               Betty Miller shares her daily devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in the Bible.   

  The Wisdom of God

Verses for the Day:

Proverbs 10:18-21(KJV):
18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

Thoughts for the Day:

These scriptures in Proverbs deal with advice about the things that we speak. Notice the words listed here in reference to speaking -- lips, utterances, words and the tongue. The things that we "say" and the things that we "pray" will either bless others or cause harm to others. We are told in the book of James how deadly the tongue can be. Unless we allow the Lord to control our mouths, we can be guilty of cursing others, instead of blessing them.

James 3:2-10(KJV):
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Those who hide their feelings of hatred and then lie about it, are fools according to: Proverbs 10:18. The slanderer is also foolish. Verse 19 also points out that those who blabber continuously (a multitude of words) will end up sinning.  Why? Because they do not take time to ponder what they should say.   People who talk incessantly usually have a problem with unrestrained emotions.   They speak out of the soul or the emotions, instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to guide them in their speaking.  If they are mad, everyone will know about it, as angry words will flow out profusely.  If they do not feel well, they will share every symptom with all who will listen. If they have problems, they will, detail by detail, recount their troubles. They never listen to others or their  needs, but usually are self absorbed people.  These troubled souls need to ask the Lord to help them guard their mouths and take the advice in Proverbs to be prudent and restrain themselves in their speaking so much. Incessant speech is a sign of selfishness because they draw attention to themselves through their speech.

On the positive side, those who pray and ask the Lord to fill their mouths with edifying and kind things, will be a blessing to all. Their speech will lift up others, and everyone around them loves to talk to them. Caring people who voice encouragement to others will never lack friends. Verse 20 says their words are like choice silver, while the wicked, who are out of harmony with God, will speak things from their corrupt hearts that are of little value.

Verse 21 in Proverbs 10 tells us that the words of the righteous will feed and guide many. How shall this happen?  Not only by the words of goodness and blessing they speak or write, but also the prayers they pray will bless many.  When we pray for those that are angry, depressed or gossips, we loose the Holy Spirit to help change these people.  If we talk about others in the wrong way, we are hurting them, but when we pray for those around us who frustrate or irritate us, we are blessing them. Those who are fools, the Bible says, will die for want of understanding and heart. This is all the more reason to pray for them so they will have a chance to repent and be touched by the Lord.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Father, I thank you for all Your goodness to us as Your children.  We are most grateful for Your patience and understanding towards us. Help us to have the same attitude and grace toward those who bother or trouble us. Lord, help me to speak gracious and kind things about others. I read in Isaiah 6 how when he had a vision of Your holiness, he cried out, "Woe is me! I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts." Lord, forgive us all for the unclean things we have said that have not pleased You. Forgive us for hurting one another with unkind and mean words. Father, purify our hearts of the things that are unholy, for our lips have voiced the sin that is still there. Remove those things and cleanse us from all evil.  I ask in this in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.