by Chelsea Rohde | Nov 3, 2015 | Proverbs
Proverbs 10: 11-12
Let’s take it back to our playground days: Breathe in the crisp fresh air. Take in the aroma of the wood chips. Feel the heat of the blacktop where you crushed it in foursquare. Hear the patterns of children at play… A skirmish breaks out between two friends and they sass back at each other:
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!”
“I’m rubber you’re glue, whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks to you!”
Designed to protect the feelings of the speaker and deflect the power in the bully’s words, these chants gave the illusion that words cannot damage us. As children we may fiercely declared them at each other, but the reality is that words stick with us even longer than we realize. Words dictate action, incite emotion, and mold images. Words move people into conditions of life and death.
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Words carry weight heavy enough to illustrate life or death. Like a fountain quenches thirst and water fuels life, the words of the righteous give life to those who hear. In contrast to the life giving words, Proverbs warns about the destruction of the words of the wicked. What will your words bring to those who hear them?
Hatred stirs up strife,
To stir up something is to provoke, stimulate or awaken it from rest. A heart that is consumed in hatred provokes anger and creates strife. Hatred steals joy, creates contention, and incites death in relationships.
but love covers all offenses.
In a world that slumps with the weight of hate there is hope. God’s love covered all the sins of his people with the sacrifice of his Son on the cross. His love covers our offenses. Love heals the infirmed, forgives the wrongdoers, and bears the hope that our lost world needs. When we imitate God’s love and mirror His character, we can bring this world back to life.
What weight do your words carry? Will you harbor hatred and let anger fester? Or will you choose to love and bring hope to those around you?
Photography: @arik
by Madison McKinzie | Nov 2, 2015 | Proverbs
Proverbs 10: 9-10
Solomon does a great job of giving us practical wisdom for godly living no matter what stage of life we are in. Integrity is just one of those wisdoms that he talks a lot about. Living with integrity will give us a better life and he even says that “people with integrity walk safely,” even when we are in “dark valley’s” as referred to in Psalm 33. Every time Solomon gives us wisdom, he warns us about those who are living a life in the opposite direction. “Those who follow crooked paths will be exposed…” People who are at a constant state of trouble and selfishness do not experience this life of integrity that he is talking about. In the New Testament Jesus tells his disciples to “not be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.” It’s interesting to see that not only did Solomon, in the Old Testament, warn us about those who follow crooked paths, but Jesus, the Son of God, warns us of the same exact thing in the New Testament. In verse 10, it says that “people who think wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace,” and in the Hebrew translation it says, “but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.” Why would we make the choice of living a life of commotion and troubled ways, when we can make the choice every day to walk with wisdom and integrity. It’s not an instantaneous conversion, it’s a daily choice that we all have to make whether or not we are going to choose trouble or integrity. It’s all up to you.
Photography: @jacobnnorris
by Macy Tiradoegas | Nov 1, 2015 | Proverbs
Proverbs 10:7-8
“The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. the wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.”
These two verses are about legacy. What we leave behind, what we are remembered by. Not the things we have or even the people we were closest to, but character, integrity, and our standard of holiness.
I ask you today, what would your legacy be?
Would you be remembered for righteousness, for being like Jesus, for treating others with kindness? This kind of person leaves a mark, a “memory.” This memory causes others to want to be like Jesus. This memory blesses the people they marked. This kind of life takes persistence, discipline and intentionality, but this life is only life that leads to fulfillment and satisfaction. It’s like the feeling of giving an unexpected or undeserved gift. Being a blessing is a blessing in itself. Imagine your memory, your entire life, being that blessing.
Or would the memory of you warrant bitterness from those you loved? Would the memory of you be painful? Would you leave behind thoughts of absence, selfishness, wrong pursuits?
Maybe that picture is too harsh and maybe you find yourself somewhere in between. Still, the question remains, are you living the best story you could be living? Are you being the kind of person you want to be remembered for? Does your life point people to Christ?
Verse eight says, “the wise of heart receive commandments,” in other words, they receive correction. They take in the word of God and obey what it says. They know that to live a rich and satisfying life means walking in the way of the Lord, being close to Jesus and obeying his Word.
“But a babbling fool will come to ruin.” This person can’t be trusted. They let gossip control their tongue, ultimately controlling their reputation and their life. This person does not leave a memory of blessing, but their name comes to ruin.
In the small things and the big things, may our memory be worthy of remembering. May it bring honor and glory to the only one worthy. May we be remembered for wisdom and righteousness.
Which memory will you leave?
Photography: @alexamihalla
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