Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- September 28, 2012
“A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult” (Proverbs 12:16).
Fools are forever flailing away at an offense, while a prudent man or woman is patient to forgive. A fool is easily provoked to anger, always looking for an argument to win. He or she is combative without compassionate concern. However, prudence is careful in its response, not willing to be reckless, but to be right. Wisdom employs forethought and prayer; it answers with an attitude of respect. Prudence invokes patience.
Do you buckle under pressure saying things you later regret? It is better to keep quiet and cool down than to vent venomous words in the flesh. Make this a goal when disciplining your children. Avoid anger as the instructor of your punishment. We tend to speak harshly and to act unreasonably when driven by anger. Wait prayerfully for twenty-four hours; then revisit the infraction with your child. Use cool correction.
“This is what you are to say to Joseph: ‘I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly. Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.’ When their message came to him, Joseph wept” (Genesis 50:17).
Bridle your tongue by God’s grace. The Bible says, “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless” (James 1:26). Your words can grieve another or give hope. They can hurt or heal. Therefore, submit to the Holy Spirit’s control of your conversations.
Lastly, you are blessed if you are insulted for Christ’s sake. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me” (Matthew 5:11). Reward awaits those rejected for righteousness’ sake. Have you died to the right to be right? Do you hold a grudge or have to get even? In Christ we are dead to sin, and the dead are not insulted.
“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11).
Prayer: Whom do I need to patiently forgive for Christ’s sake?
Related Readings: 1 Samuel 20:30–34; Esther 3:5; Matthew 27:39–40; James 1:19
Post/Tweet: Our words can grieve or give hope. They can hurt or heal. #patient #forgive
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Just curioius, I held my tongue for two years and finally spoke to my offender, he proceeeded to ignore my request to stop until I felt forced to leave the church. . I kept trying to NOT let it affect me, but as he continued my feelings grew worse until irreparable harm was done I forgave him, but the damage lingers, what do I do? He is the Authority figure of the church
I love your wisdom of words you pass on to us, but I really wish it was in Spanish also. Some of my Spanish speaking friends could really us some wisdom. Thank you
Lord, I repent and ask for my forgiveness with rash responses. Guide my tongue in alignment with your words. for I am a woman of God and a wise woman. forgive me this day and search my heart, clean anything that isn’t of you. Amen
Molly, you feelings are real. I can relate to your words. May I suggest that you pray that the Lord would help you to see this situation through the eyes of Jesus and not your own? Prov. 21:2 says that all men think they are right in their own mind, but God sees the heart, not saying that you are wrong, rather that by allowing God to help you see this situation from His perspective will allow healing to occur from this offense. Also, praying that your offender will be blessed is overcoming an evil by doing good which further brings Glory to God in this situation.