Corona Devo 473

Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.  ~Proverbs 12:18

Have you ever brooded about a "cutting remark" that was made about you or your family/team/business?  Of course we have.  "Cutting remarks" are cheap and easy and they fly frequently when we differ with another.  

But "cutting remarks" bring unrest in our hearts, cause hurt, and foster resentment.  Don't they?  Do you replay "that" conversation in your head and thus get "cut" again and again as you replay it?  

Cutting remarks are easy to spew but for what?  Like an arcade game token or slot-machine pull, the thrill is gone in a moment and we are left with nothing.  Except possibly a resonating seed of hurt that we have planted with our cutting remark.  There is no satisfaction in that, and if there is, then we need to check our hearts as to whose "army" we are serving in, because God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:17), and if we are seeking to follow in His footsteps, then sharing the message of salvation (not condemnation) is our assignment too.  

Why are we often so quick to condemn with our cutting remarks?  I suppose "human nature" is a self-justifying response, but going deeper, I think "sin" would be the root answer.  There is always a judgement, reaction, or a difference-in-opinion that spurs our tongue to cut.  The original Latin meaning of sarcasm was "to tear flesh", and that pairs perfectly with how we have felt or how we have made others feel at times with cutting remarks.  

Another translation says "the words of the reckless pierce like swords..." (Proverbs 12:18), and I don't need a show of hands to know that we have all been pierced with that sword of reckless words at one time or another.  Regretfully, I have also been one the one to stab others with my sword of reckless words.

But have you ever ruminated on the "words of the wise" as they replayed in your head and heart?  ...the words of the wise bring healing. (Proverbs 12:18).  

Has anyone ever spoken God's wisdom into your life or situation when you needed the direction or balm of it?  Wise words bring healing to our hearts.  They bring wisdom to our thinking and clarity to our situations instead of judgement.  

What if we heeded God's word today?  What if we were purposeful in controlling our tongue and thinking about our words before they left our mouth?  What if others sought to honor God and His word by doing the same when in conversation with us?  

Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.  ~Proverbs 12:18

What if we placed ourselves and our words in the second group?  

Have you ever seen a worn, "troubled", or "distracted" person (young or old) who is used to being neglected, reprimanded or demeaned have words-of-life spoken into them?   Their demeanor changes and then their behavior too.  And in time change comes in how they view and value themselves.  The words of the wise bring healing. (Proverbs 12:18).  I'd like to be a part of that change and healing today.  Show us the way, Lord.

Sometimes it can be difficult to find someone speaking The words of the wise (that) bring healing, but God's Word is always proclaiming them.  We can look to the wise words of God and Jesus to know how valuable we are and the purpose that God has for us and our lives.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  ~I Peter 2:9

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  ~Jeremiah 29:11

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  ~Ephesians 2:10

Jesus, we have felt You breathe life into us through Your Word and Your purposeful plan for us.  Your wise words bring us healing, even today.  Let us be conduits for bringing healing to someone today through the wisdom of Your word as it flows into us and then pours out of us as words of the wise bring(ing) healing to whoever you place in our path that needs to hear it.  

Some people make cutting remarks (Proverbs 12:18), but we are not just "some people", we are Your people, Lord, and You call us to a higher standard than verbally "tearing the flesh" of another because we disagree or dislike them.  The opportunity You provide us is so much deeper and not at all flash-in-the-pan.  In You we gain wisdom, and with Your wisdom we can heal others.  Let us be Your people today.  Amen.

There are broken hearts and damaged spirits all around us.  Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.  ~Proverbs 12:18

People are searching for their meaning, their purpose and any indication that they matter.  Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.  ~Proverbs 12:18

The busyness, fake-facade and manufactured momentary-happiness of the world causes us to detach and dehumanize others, but Jesus never did.  Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.  ~Proverbs 12:18

What if we heeded God's word today?  What if we were purposeful in controlling our tongue and thinking about our words before they flew out of our mouth like a piercing sword?  

We know what would happen.  Proverbs 12:18 tells us what would happen: healing.

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com