[12] “Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.” — Proverbs 11:12 NIV
Everyone has either lived with people or stayed in a place where neighbours are around. And for that reason, many people find it easy to detect faults in the people they live with, especially their families.
Nobody is perfect. Everybody has flaws, and married couples can better relate to this. So in living with people, one thing to understand is to adapt one’s life, by divine understanding, in such a way that there’d be peace at your residence. However, many people don’t do that. They try to change people by their own efforts, only to get disappointed over time. If God is the Maker of man, then only He can change people.
If God is the Maker of man, then only He can change people.
Proverbs 11:12 tells us that anybody who derides (speaks with contempt) his neighbour has no sense, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. Other versions translate the word “tongue” as “peace.”
So from that verse, God is telling us that despite the faults we keep finding in other people’s lives, speaking evil of them is of no benefit. Instead, we should live wisely with them in a manner that promotes peace, especially by checking the words we speak whenever they show any wrong attitude. Isn’t this the same thing Apostle James said in James 1:19 that “… be quick to hear, but slow to speak… ”?
Words have creative power. They can mould lives, cause heartfelt pains and even encourage others. And because of this reality, declaring God’s Word over every person’s life is crucial for the person’s benefit.
You may not be living with perfect people or have a perfect team to help you grow God’s vision for your life. But at least, be grateful unto God for their presence in your life and keep speaking the words of faith over their lives, no matter their present poor character. The Lord will take care of their transformation.
Prayer:
Father, teach me to live as a man of understanding and not to use my voice to condemn people. So I can speak life (eternal) unto them. I trust you to take care of their attitudinal change. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Devotional Code: KGD – 2023 – 238
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