Reading: Proverbs 16:23-33

That sounds pretty bad.

It reminds me of what too many politicians do, particularly during an election campaign. They try to find “dirt” to use against their opponents.

Initially, though, at my first reading of this verse this morning, it reminded me of me!

“An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire” (27).

Maybe I listen to a sermon, trying to find what’s wrong.

Maybe I watch what someone does, waiting to see failure.

Maybe I look through my computer archives, reviewing another’s offenses.

Maybe I dredge the channels of my memory, remembering evil. And evils done to me.

I don’t want to be that way!

So here are some guidelines (is that all they are?!) for better thinking:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

from Proverbs 16:24

A little bit more from Proverbs 16: Old, White Hair