Reading for Today:
Proverb Chapter 6
Gold Nugget
Verse 14: “Perversity is in his heart, he devises evil
continually, he sows discord.”
Commentary
Today’s “gold nugget” describes what verse one of this
same chapter says is a worthless and evil person. “Perversity is in his heart, he devises evil continually, he sows
discord.” Perversity is a word we surely wouldn’t feel is a description of
ourselves. Perversity in its simplest and most accurate definition is to change
something from its intended purpose to something that it is not or was not
intended as. Falsely assuming and declaring someone else’s intentions is
perverting the truth. This is something that happens more than we are probably
willing to admit. We should be very careful when attempting to interpret
someone’s intentions. Even when someone errs, their intentions should be
correctly considered. We can sow discord by the judgment we proclaim concerning
an individual. If my impression or opinion of someone is declared publicly,
someone may share unfairly in my assessment. Even if I am correct in my
understanding of a person’s intentions, it is rarely our place to point it out
to others. This sowing of discord mentioned in verse 14 is quickly addressed
again in verse 19. It is one of what we call, “The Seven Deadly Sins”. As a
matter of fact, it is deemed by The Scriptures as something God hates. The
sowing of discord is the enemy to unity and fellowship. Nothing will cause
greater destruction that discord. Jesus said in the Gospels that no Kingdom or
House divided against itself will stand. Above all things preserve the unity of
the Saints. Abandon foolish chatter and backbiting and embrace each other as
fellow laborers and as brothers and sisters.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for
reminding us of the attitude and behavior we should have to those that we think
or maybe have erred. Keep us from declaring their guilt, but rather help us to
be planning and participating in their restoration and healing. Amen
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