Daily Devotional
               Betty Miller shares her daily devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in the Bible.   

  The Wisdom of God

Verses for the Day:

Proverbs 12:16-19(KJV): 
16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
17 He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Proverbs 12:16-9(AMP):
16 A fool's wrath is quickly and openly known; but a prudent man ignores an insult.
17 He who breathes out truth shows forth righteousness -- uprightness and right standing with God; but a false witness utters deceit.
18 There are those who speak rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips shall be established for ever,  but a lying tongue is (credited) but for a moment.

Thoughts for the Day:

The book of Proverbs is filled with good instruction for all who would like to be wise in this world. These verses deal with the problem of a person who does not control his temper and tells lies. The Bible says that someone who does not control his tongue is a fool. Someone like this is known as an angry person, because they blow up and they speak their mind openly. A fool is always quick to speak, while a wise man will ponder things before he speaks.  A man filled with the Holy Spirit, not only will be cautious about his words, but will ask the Lord to fill his mouth with the right things to say.  We all find ourselves in situations at times where others will cause us to want to lash out. However, hurtful words will only compound the problems.   If we respond to hateful words with kind ones, we can diffuse a lot of trouble. It takes a man of character to ignore an insult.

Proverbs 15:1-2: "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.  The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness."

It is not a sin to be angry.  God, Himself, is angry at things.   He hates sin because it is destroying the men He created. He hates injustice and murder and every other kind of wickedness. We should be angry when we see evil in the world.  However, we are told not to be angry with wicked people, but rather, we are to hate their deeds and the source of the evil that they are doing. The Devil is the real enemy.  We are to hate Satan and sin, but we are told to love the sinner. The Bible tells us how we must deal with anger. We are told to pray for wicked men that they will come to the knowledge of the Lord and depart from their evil ways. We are to give our anger to the Lord and ask Him to remove it. We should ask the Lord to deal with the situation if it is unfair or unjust, and He will make it right for us if we refuse to yield to anger, resentment and bitterness.

Ephesians 4:24-27:
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.

We are to walk in righteousness and holiness and speak the truth.  If we do get angry, the Lord tells us to deal with it before we go to bed at night. We must give it to the Lord.  Certain psychologists tell people to go and vent their anger by throwing something or to go into a closed room and let their anger out by yelling.   This is not the way the Bible tells us to deal with it. We must forgive the one who is causing us to be angry, and ask God to deal with the situation. Sometimes crying or wailing will relieve the pressure, if it is led by the Spirit, as in "travail." We must call on the Lord for His love and grace to prevail in the matter, and to remove the anger from our heart, and give us His love and wisdom in the matter.

Verses 18 and 19 deal with a lying tongue and they also point out how destructive and hurtful angry words can be. These scriptures describe such words as a piercing sword going into someone. In contrast, words from the wise are healing words.  People can wound others with their mouths or they can bring healing. If we are honest and speak the truth in love, our words will be established, while those who lie, may momentarily deceive others. However, in the end, truth will triumph.  Truth is stronger than a lie. The Bible says that eventually your sin will find you out.

Numbers 32:23b "...... behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out."

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, I am grateful for Your love and mercy in my life.  I thank You that You were patient with me when I failed and lost my temper in times past.  I am grateful that I have now been delivered from resentment and an unrestrained temper. May I be gracious to those who are still having problems in this area.  Lord, deliver all of Your people from lying and anger so that we can truly love one another.  Give us Your love for one another, so that the world will see us walking hand in hand. May they know and believe that You are real. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.