"I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Day 121 - (Today’s Bible readings: Proverbs 11:16-31; Psalm 112; Hebrews 12:18-29)
GOD’S RULE FOR CIVILITY
“Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.” (Proverbs 11:12-13 ESV)
In the catechism’s explanation of the Eighth Commandment, we are encouraged to “defend our neighbor, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.”
How are you doing in this area?
Can others trust you to keep a confidence?
This certainly is not the way of the world around.
● Politicians are constantly belittling those of the opposite party.
● The news is constantly focusing on the negative.
● Children are still tattling on each other.
● We rush to judgement without fully knowing the facts.
● People don’t want to take the time to listen to someone else’s opinion, choosing instead to cancel them out.
● We prefer to judge rather than look for the good in ideas that may be different than ours.
● Even in the church, we often do not “explain everything in the kindest way,” and run rough shod over each other.
This old quote gives us some advice in combating loose tongues:
"If your lips would keep from slips,
Five things observe with care:
Of whom you speak, to whom you speak,
And how, and when, and where."
--from the 19th Century book THE RULES OF CIVILITY
The Bible gives us more clear Godly advice:
“Brothers (and sisters), do not slander one another.” James 4:11
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.” Luke 6:37
“Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:7
May the Lord bless our efforts to look for the good instead of cancelling someone who’s opinion seems to be different.
Lord, please forgive me for the times my words have hurt others. Help me to choose my words wisely, to put the best construction on everything, and to keep my mouth shut when You want me to. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
“See” you in church this morning!
(I will be preaching at Benediction Lutheran Church in Milwaukee this morning. Please pray that their Pastor, Rev. Don Hougard, has a negative Covid test this week so that he can finally return home from Germany!)
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), undergirds this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
Then scroll down to 2022 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
thank you Pastor Paape!
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