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Proverbs 26 (ESV)
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,
and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.
23 Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel
are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips
and harbors deceit in his heart;
25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
for there are seven abominations in his heart;
26 though his hatred be covered with deception,
his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
28 A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.
REFLECTION:
Saying things that irritate people or spreading gossip will only keep the fire of anger burning. Keeping quiet is like taking away the firewood under a cauldron, and the fire naturally goes out. Does anyone keep irritating you? Make up your mind not to blame that person and see if your anger will be extinguished due to lack of firewood. In order to fight back, do you intentionally or unintentionally anger others, especially those close to you? May you control your tongue from now on, no matter how others treat you, you only treat others with a gentle and kind heart. We must also guard against the sweet words of deceitful people, and have the wisdom to discern their hidden motives. We all love to listen to words of praise and flattery, and we should be awakened to the dangers, and avoid unknowingly falling into the trap dug by the deceitful. These proverb verses also warn those who are double-tongued that they will eventually harm themselves by trying to harm others, and they will be judged by God justly.
PRAYER:
If someone irritates you, ask God to calm your anger and give you patience, kindness, and goodness. Do not insist on a tooth for a tooth or an eye for an eye; ask God to give you the strength to trust Him, protect your heart, and control your tongue, never say anything that irritates people, and treat those who oppose or hurt you with gentleness, integrity, and honesty.
HYMN:
This Is the Air I Breathe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEDcKZB7r2A
