Thrive
The words
of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright
rescues them. Prov. 12:6
In Proverbs,
Solomon and his friends present universal principles for us to chew
on and digest in a variety of circumstances. He often presents a good
side and bad side to each of his proverbs.
I speak from
experience in knowing that jealous words said by someone can have
deadly consequences. Jesus spoke of our anger as the same thing as
murder (Matt. 5:22). Such actions reveals our motives. It exposes
vulnerability. Sometimes it predicts our future.
The challenges in
this verse lie in where we put the emphasis. We know that we are all
sinners. We are wicked. But we have a choice in the matter.
This passage can be about two individuals with separate goals or it can be about one person and the choice they have to make in any given circumstance.
This passage can be about two individuals with separate goals or it can be about one person and the choice they have to make in any given circumstance.
Will the upright
person who God has called us to be submit to step forward in
conflict? Or will the wicked person take over and rebel against God's
will?
Grow
We sit on the edge of choices every day. We don't always know the
consequences of those choices or whether that choice will be a great
one.
But we do know that God is love.
When we submit to this
standard, which is an umbrella, we conform to His will. Loving God
and loving other people will make you stand out. It will make you
great. Take some time and process what love is and what it means.
Notes On Love:
- Read 1Cor. 13.
- Compare your actions to those that are described as love.
- Take notes on what you do well and where you lack.
- Pray daily and ask God to help you conform to His standard of love.
- Review where you are each month and repeat.