OUR TONGUE

Proverbs 12:20 LXX (12:18)

There are those who wound with a sword as they speak,
But the tongues of the wise heal.

Personal Challenge

One of the most healing tools in our tool chest of life is our tongue. Wounds can be healed, anxieties calmed, and wars ended with wise and discerning use of our tongues. To the contrary, deep wounds can be cut, hearts broken, and wars launched with unwise and unguarded use of our tongue. It is up to us to be masters of our own tongues. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

INSTRUCTION AND CORRECTION

Proverbs 12:1

He who loves instruction loves perception,
But he who hates correction is without discernment.

Personal Challenge

When you encounter someone who professes to be a Christian and who defies any form of instruction or correction, know that they are in error. As followers of Christ, we know that our perception of God and His blessings in our lives comes from his instruction, which comes in many forms and from many sources. We also know that correction comes with that instruction so that our understanding and discernment can be honed into the image of our teacher, Jesus Christ. Glory be to God!

Saint of the Week

St. Justin Popović

DISCERNMENT

Proverbs 11:10 LXX (11:9)

A man in need of discernment treats citizens with contempt,
But a man of discernment keeps quiet.

Personal Challenge

DISCERNMENT – noun

• The act or process of exhibiting keen insight and good judgment.
• Keenness of insight and judgment.
• The power or faculty of the mind by which it distinguishes one thing from another; power of viewing differences in objects, and their relations and tendencies; penetrative and discriminate mental vision; acuteness; sagacity; insight.

This definition of discernment is from the American Heritage Dictionary. Sometimes, in our modern, disconnected society, it is helpful to get us all on the same page. This verse is so appropriate for the issues that we are facing today. We are seeing throughout all levels of leadership (corporate, political, even religious), the absence of discernment. Is it any wonder that citizens (and foreigners) are being treated with contempt. Think about this when you are privileged to vote in November! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

HUMILITY VERSUS ARROGANCE

Proverbs 11:2

Wherever arrogance enters, there also is dishonor,
But the mouth of the humble meditates on wisdom.

Personal challenge

The truth is that none of us can amount to anything in life without the others in our lives. Some of those others are our teachers, some are our benefactors, some our loved ones, some our supporters. No one can survive in life on their own. This is where humility enters into our lives. It is the ability, and the practice, of putting others before ourselves. We can do this by seeking and meditating on godly wisdom. On the contrary, if we live arrogant lives, we alienate ourselves from those we need most in our lives and end up in dishonor. Lord, have mercy, Lord have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

RIGHTEOUS OR UNRIGHTEOUS

Proverbs 10:32 LXX (10:31)

The mouth of a righteous man distills wisdom,
But the tongue of an unrighteous man utterly destroys.

Personal Challenge

Another Proverb that is so fitting for the world that we see playing out today in our country. We are seeing so much destruction, both virtually and tangibly, because of the unrighteous words being spewed out. It is amazing that in some states, laws are being passed to require that the ten commandments be posted in classrooms and the Bible be taught in classes and yet the very politicians passing these laws are living corrupt and unrighteous lives. Is it any wonder that destruction follows these actions? God desires true righteous lives and not performative actions. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

BLESSINGS

Proverbs 10:23 LXX (10:22)

The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of a righteous man;
It enriches him, and grief of heart will not be added to it.

Personal Challenge

The more one observes the news of the day the more it appears that we live in a day where unrighteousness is honored. There was a day when those in positions of leadership could be looked up to as standard bearers of honesty and uprightness. That day is long gone. Leadership today appears to be synonymous with greed and malevolence. Our society is hurting significantly because of this. Today’s verse reminds us that God’s blessing rests upon the head of the righteous man or woman and they are enriched by living that way. It is time that we bring back righteous living and moral ways. Lord have mercy! Lord have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

OUR WORDS

Proverbs 10:20 LXX (10:19)

You will not escape sin by a multitude of words,
But you of discreet lips will be forbearing.

Personal challenge

There is an old saying from when I was young that is an excellent lesson on life. “Silence is golden!” When we spend all of our time with our mouth running at full speed, we will inevitably say something that will get us into trouble. Keeping quiet more than spouting off will guard us from either getting entrapped by our words or saying something that we regret and can never take back. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

GROWTH

Proverbs 9:9-12

Give the opportunity to a wise man, and he will be wiser;
Instruct a righteous man, and he shall continue to receive it.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the counsel of saints is understanding;
For to know the law is characteristic of a good mind.
For in this manner you will live a long time,
And the years of your life shall be increased.
My son, if you become wise in yourself,
you shall also be wise toward your neighbor;
But if you prove to be evil, you alone will go through troubles.

Personal Challenge

As human beings, we were not made to be sedentary in our growth. We are meant to always be learning and growing. As followers of Christ, that growth is to be in His image. It is a never-ending process, for when we stop, we actually start moving backwards. So, how do we do this? We receive the instruction given to us; we respect our Lord trusting that He will provide us the instruction we need. We pursue the counsel of the saints for understanding. We know the law given to us and live by it. We do this out of our love for God and in appreciation of His love for us. Glory be to God!

KEEPING WATCH

Proverbs 8:32-34

Now therefore, my son, hear me:
Blessed is the man who shall hearken to me
And the man who shall guard my ways;
Who watches daily at my doors,
Who keeps watch at the doors of my entryways;
For my issues are the issues of life,
And grace is prepared from the Lord.

Personal Challenge

Being a follower of Christ is not a “one and done” event. It is not accomplished by going forward at an altar call or praying some canned prayer. A follower of Christ lives their life day in and day out following in the footsteps of their beloved Christ. By living this way, we can hear His voice, be blessed by hearkening to Him, guard His ways, keep watch daily at the doors to His kingdom, and continually receive His grace. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!