Still in the Proverbs <3
Happy Monday morning to you <3
I am still working my way through the Proverbs study and am reminded this morning of a wise response I got from a dear friend and reader named Marjorie.
She was responding to something I wrote about Proverbs 16:24.
Gracious words are a honeycomb sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
First I want to share some of what she sent me and I do have her permission…
What I get from this Proverb is so simple and yet so powerful. Gracious words, kind words…soothing words, words of agreement, words of comfort, why don’t we all try to remember this in all of our conversations?
It is good for the soul for sure, when we reach out to others, give them a hug, and say uplifting things to them. Our blood pressure is lowered and we feel more calm, more in control. Same is true for those we reach out to.
One of the biggest problems today is not Democrats and Republicans, or men and women or blacks and whites…etc. rich…poor, get the picture? It is another very, very simple thing….but so complex really.
Manners, the Golden Rule, the Ten Commandments; whatever you use, or we use to guide us…asking and listening to God for an answer.
One can feel it.
I can, but I have to be open and ready for what He tells me, not what I want to advise Him about! Marjorie Devore <3
Isn’t she a treasure?
Wise words from a woman who loves Jesus and, thus, loves people well.
I am so thankful for mentors He gives me on the journey and this lady is one of them <3
This morning I thought of Marjorie’s words and the impact of truth in them as I looked at another Proverbs passage warning against the danger of “perverse” words…
Words that stir up strife and bad feelings in others toward someone.
James MacDonald says in the study that when someone in his church shares a “bad report” about another member he just asks ones question…
Why are you telling me this?
In other words…
What is the motive behind the information you are sharing with me?
This is an impacting and convicting question to ask myself when passing along information on another person’s words, behaviors, habits.
MacDonald points out that often we do this because of insecurity, fear and/or jealousy.
I have to tell you that I can go either way with my words. I have been one who covers over offenses but I have also been one who was quick to point out something that I knew would put another person in a lesser light to my hearer.
And as I sat squirming like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar this morning, I let God shine some big Truth Light into that dark part of my heart.
I have to admit that if I were to be asked the question…
Why did you share that information?
my answer is that I am motivated by exactly those things…
insecurity…fear…jealousy…
and some twisted thing in me has tried to convince me that perhaps the hearer will think more of me and less of the other if they know this “fact”…
auuuugghhhh….
yuk….
and finally…
owning the ugly…
confessing it…
repenting of it…
asking God to help me recognize this seed of sin that we might continue to pull it out by the roots…
and then receiving …
forgiveness…
healing…
restoration.
Because when we confess our sins…He is faithful…to forgive us and cleanse us…
from all unrighteousness.
Bless you as you let His Spirit work in you today through the washing and regeneration of His Word alive in us!
I so enjoy what u share with us. Marjorie’s thoughts on Proverbs is so true. I sing with her in chorale, a very precious lady and friend!
Oh Sandra! I know…she is just one in a million. She heard me speak at an event in Clinton and signed up for the email I send on Thursdays. She responds about every week – I get worried when she doesn’t. She had me come and meet all her friends for a Christmas tea once – it was wonderful. Bless you for sharing! I am tickled you know each other!!!