Reading the Word Proverbs 30:32–33 (ESV)32 If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth.33 For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces … Continue reading Put Your Hand on Your Mouth
Reading the Word “If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.” (Proverbs 29:9, ESV) Understanding and Applying the Word The imagery of this proverb is the courtroom. … Continue reading Is the Argument Worth It?
Reading the Word “Better is open rebuke than hidden love.” (Proverbs 27:5, ESV) Understanding and Applying the Word How is rebuke better than hidden love? They both seem like bad things, but I would much rather not be rebuked. This … Continue reading The Rebuke of a Friend
Reading the Word “For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.” (Proverbs 26:20, ESV) Understanding and Applying the Word Perhaps the most damaging aspect of conflict is that it can be difficult … Continue reading How to End a Quarrel
Reading the Word “Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, ‘I am only joking!‘” (Proverbs 26:18–19, ESV) Understanding and Applying the Word Today’s passage deals with causing quarrels with … Continue reading I Am Only Joking!
Shaped by the Word is a daily, Bible-reading devotional. I do not publish supplemental material on Sundays, but I do include a suggested Scripture reading. Be sure to subscribe to this page to follow along each day. Thanks for reading! … Continue reading The Power of the Tongue
Reading the Word James 3:13–18 (ESV) 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy … Continue reading The Wise Seek Peace
Reading the Word 2 Timothy 2:14–19 (ESV) 14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has … Continue reading Avoid Irreverant Babble
Shaped by the Word 