Today's Verse: Proverbs 10:12

Wednesday, May 2, 2001

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Our worst tendencies want to repay evil with evil, spite for spite, pettiness with pettiness, and hatefulness with hatefulness. God has always wanted his people to be his redemptive influence in their world, society, and relationships.
Paul reminded the Christians in Rome to "not repay evil with evil" (Romans 12:17).
Jesus said:
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:44-45)
The apostle Paul also taught Christians in Rome:
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:18-21)
Love removes the teeth from difficult situations while hatefulness only stirs up bitterness and spite. God's wise Old Covenant king shares a similar truth in our verse today. We are called to be a different kind of people, a JESUShaped people who leave the world a different and better place than we found it. It isn't always easy, but Jesus' way is powerful and redemptive in a world where most people expect the worst!

Video Commentary...

We've included Phil's ToGather video from four years ago as an added blessing to our verse today:

My Prayer...

Father, I confess that when I'm wronged, I become angry and am often tempted to strike back in kind of try and get even. Please, remove the baser, self-serving side of my character through your Holy Spirit's cleansing and redeeming influence on my heart. May the love your Spirit inspires in me be seen in how I treat others. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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5 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of Proverbs 10:12 — Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.

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About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.