Doing right is natural

Daily we are driven to get things right around us. We want to do things right because it is the right thing to do. However, we have unnaturally been tempted to do the opposite. This is a moment by moment battle within us. Ill thoughts. Self serving thoughts. Thinking of the bad before the good in every situation or interaction. We seem to be caught up with the opposite of what we know is right.

Proverbs 16 continues to emphasize the importance of wisdom and Godly character. Extra emphasis is added on how this plays out in our speech.

Verse 12: "It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness" is clear about the responsibility of those in leadership. They must operate in God's ways lest they be cursed. And kings enjoy those who speak right; verse 13: "Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks what is right."

Verse 23-24: "The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones." - Continues to emphasize the importance of wisdom and how wisdom comes forth in the words that we speak. But it does not stop there. It has an effect on anyone's general well being (health to the bones).

Verse 32: "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city." tells about the need to manage our anger so that indeed we are even better than those who win over a city.

Our words are powerful and must be used carefully. And these words come from Godly wisdom that we need to fill with the fear of the Lord. As I step out into the day there will be circumstances and people that could upset me, but I need to have the eyes and heart of God to speak the right words and do the right thing in each situation. Father, help me to do this well.

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