Day 196 - Proverbs Thursday (chapter 10)
“The wise heart will receive commands, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.” (Proverbs 10:8 ESV)
“The words we speak can be either a source of life and comfort, edifying those around us, or a source of strife and wickedness, stirring up hatred and division. Always choose your words prudently, being careful never to speak gossip, lies, or slander about another person. Defend those whose reputation is under assault and forgive those who sin against you. Jesus was a victim of false accusations; the blood He shed on the cross covers all our offenses.” (The Lutheran Study Bible, Concordia Publishing House, 2009, page 1017)
Luther’s Small Catechism puts it this way:
The Eighth Commandment You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest possible way (put the best construction on everything).
Lord, please forgive me for the times my words have hurt others. Help me to choose my words wisely and to put the best construction on everything. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
The following link is to the 52 Week Bible Reading Plan upon which these devotions are based. http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf
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