Proverbs 25: Get Some Control
Ahhh self control. Something that is never fully conquered but always being worked on. Always a good reminder to us all that we must have self control and be kind to all. To hold our tongue and love our enemies as much as our neighbors. Because let’s face it - not the easiest things to do (and this opens the door to let God have his revenge and keep us from jumping the gun)
Vs8-10 “what your eyes have seen do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do when your neighbor puts you to shame? Argue your case with your neighbor himself and do not reveal another’s secrets, lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.”...... to completely safe guard yourself from this he goes on to say in vs 17 “let your foot be seldom in your neighbors house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you!” I mean, if you are staying out of their business you can’t get into trouble in the first place. I feel like we get into trouble as a society here mostly on social media. It’s so easy to sit in our homes and “put our foot in our neighbors house” by throwing our opinions about them so quickly on Facebook. It’s easy to hide there. We don’t have to face them. And then, when we do see them we can act like nothing has happened and smile and say hello. It is something we forget God sees. But He does and we should be mindful of that.
Vs 21 “if your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.”
LOVE THIS VERSE!!! Who wouldn’t?? First - Gods going to reward me for bringing shame on my enemy?! DEAL. But - try being nice to someone you don’t like - not that easy. That’s the point. God truly wants us to love everyone, because HE loves us all. In the end - totally worth it. I promise, I’ve done it.
And finally, vs 28:”a man without self control is like a city broken into and left without walls” if we can’t control our emotions and actions - satan will totally find a way to control them for us. Be on guard and always be praying. God will protect us but we have to work at it too. Our faith calls for active participation. So get up and go make your bed and face the day well, knowing that you are loved.
