Journal for August 10th…Fools and slander

8:26 AM

Proverbs 10

Father, Your words are always appropriate and they lead to wisdom. Thank You for putting in our hands the written Word of God; for sending Your Son, the living Word of God; and for providing Spirit-filled teachers that share the spoken Word of God. Your plans and Your ways are the path to life, joy and eternity. Show me Your ways.

I've always said, Lord, that love is something a person does, not so much what he/she feels. Hate is the same way. It's an action, something a person does. "Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses."v12 I want to cover the offenses of others -- once they've turned to You and confessed to You, we should move on. Some Christians prefer to expose sin and cause harm to others. Does it make them feel superior, Lord? Does it make them feel better about themselves? Yet, according to this Word, if conflicts ensue, then it is hatred, not love, that rules that person's heart -- no matter what their position, no matter what their past service has been.

"Whoever spreads slander is a fool."v18 Frankly, Lord, I know some fools. They can't wait for an opportunity to slander their brother or sister. And it doesn't matter if the facts are true, contrived, false, or misinterpreted. To speak to one or more people about another person -- true or not is slander, gossip, and sin, pure and simple. A wise person, according to You tries to cover offenses, forgive one another, and move on in service to Christ. It's a fool that tries to divide, harm, and slander another.

Here's my desire today, Lord (to start with)… Keep me from slandering others. I know what it's like to be the subject of slander, and don't wish that on anyone … not one single Christian. If I have ever painted my brother/sister in a bad light, please forgive me. I will let You take care of it from now on. And when I am the subject of slander, help me to forgive, put my trust in Your vindication, and keep my eyes on Jesus.

Lord, help me to keep Your commands and do the things that are pleasing in Your sight. ~