Today I want to look at the very next verse in Proverbs 11 because it spoke directly to our situation right now too.
A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. Proverbs 11:12
I think it’s fair to say that many people right now are shooting off at the mouth. Meaning they are saying whatever comes to them, they aren’t even thinking about it. They aren’t weighing their words and the impact they have. I am convinced that many are simply spewing words to play “devils advocate” and keep people bickering. One thing is for certain, the media is not telling the truth, they are speaking what they’ve been told to speak. (If you don’t believe that or see that, then I truly encourage you to get on your knees and ask God about it. Ask Him to reveal truth to you.)
In times like this I often reflect upon the fruit of the Spirit, against which there is no law. The fruit that sticks out to me the most today is self-control.
It’s so important to operate from a spirit of self-control and simply remain quiet when you need to. Don’t fall into the worldly way of always reacting. Instead, what if we as believers always took a minute and listened to what God instructs us to do or say before we respond. It’s far better to respond instead of reacting. A measured response is a mark of maturity. I pray we all learn to move towards it.
We are to seek after wisdom and understanding. As it says in the above verse…
A man of understanding holds his tongue.
Why do you think that is? Well, it goes back to what we discussed in yesterday’s devotional, our battle isn’t against other people. When we scream and argue with others, then it shows that we don’t understand who our true enemy is. Our enemy is the devil. The spirit that is causing all of the unrest upon the earth right now, from covid to riots, is the spirit of the anti-Christ. God was clear when He said that the spirit of the anti-Christ was already upon the earth. Now, as we see churches closed, but stores open, and recently a major leader from some groups said all statues of Jesus should be destroyed. We can no longer deny what’s happening.
Last week I kept having a vision, and in it I kept seeing all of our current troubles and they were in a clump and God turned it over and I saw the root system and He spoke to me, “It’s all rooted in the anti-Christ spirit.”
I believe Him. Knowing this information tells me how to fight this battle. We aren’t just fighting for America. We are fighting for the sake of the world. For the lost to be found. For America to remain a beacon of hope to Christians around the world. To remain a safe haven for religious freedom. We must stand in the Spirit.
Prayer Moment: Teach us how to stand with You, God. Awaken our hearts to be the warriors that You created us to be. Help us to shake off the weariness of the world and be dressed and ready for battle. Lead us into Your Word every morning and let it be infused in our hearts. Fill us with Your hope. Give us Your vision. Teach us Your ways. Protect us God. You are the hope of the world. In Jesus name, Amen.
365 Days in the Presence 