Proverbs Day 61 (KJV):
Proverbs 10:12-14:(KJV): "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. 13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding. 14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction."
Thought for the day:
These verses in Proverbs are a contrasting picture of hatred and love, and wisdom and foolishness. Those who are hateful are always stirring up trouble and getting in strife with others. People who hate have hostile minds and are full of malice toward others. Their hatred not only leads to the persecution of those they oppose, but it also manifests even toward those who are their friends. Anyone who embraces hatred will soon find that this emotion does not stop with just hating one's enemies, but it will break out against people they do not want to hurt. The reason is that the very nature of sin is to grow. If we do not resist it, it will overtake us, and we will find that it has become our master. If a person hates another, soon they will find they are unable to selectively hate certain people as they become consumed with the spirit of hate.
On the positive side, those who choose to love and forgive others will find that will have loving natures. When we ask the Lord to give us love for those who use us and persecute us, we can conquer all hateful thoughts toward others. We cannot do this in ourselves; however, the Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome hatred with His love. This love is a wonderful miracle we receive when we receive Christ in our hearts. As Christians, we will not want to expose people's sins, but rather, we will cover them with love. In our world today, it is popular to dig up and expose people's sins. Many good people, who are in the public spotlight and have made some mistakes in their lives, are scrutinized unmercifully. Gossip mongers always try to find something that people have done wrong, usually for political reasons. I am not referring to corrupt leaders when I make this statement, as their own sins will find them out, because they sin openly, as well as sin in the shadows. They reap what they saw.
