There are so many great, helpful verses inthe third chapter of Proverbs.
I suppose the most quoted are vs. 5-6.
But the Proverbs challenge is to pick just one and list it as the one that spoke to you today. For me, today, that would be vs. 3-4.
Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write the on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.
Many in the church are very good these days at speaking truth, but so often we speak it in such a way that we don't find favor or good repute with others. We have forgotten the "kindness" part. There are many things happening in our nation and world that we should speak against - because they are contrary to God's Word. However, if we don't speak with kindness our message is lost and we basically come across and meanand hateful.
The Apostle Paul said it this way, "Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned as it were with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person." Colossians 4:5-6 NASB
So let me encourage you today to treat others with kindness - even if you don't feel like they deserve it.
3 comments:
Verse 3 (New Living Translation): "Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart."
I have noticed that I am less patient, less kind, more aggregated by people and situations. As soon as I read this verse it cut straight to my heart to not let kindness leave me. I don't want to become a grumpy old person that no one wants to be around!
P.S. - I added my comment before I read yours, Lyndel, so I would not be predisposed to your thoughts... Just saying....
That is part of the wonder of the Word being alive is that it speaks to each of us in different ways, yet really says the same thing.
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