Scripture for Today: Psalm 12:3-4 “May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue that says, “We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips – who is our master?”

Who is it that decided that plump overly large lips are sexy?  That pouty look is all the rage and whole industries have been created to make those lips look more kissable.  There are lots of make-up tricks to achieve the look.  There are also methods using cinnamon oils and other natural ingredients.  For the truly courageous there is the option of collagen injections.  For my daughter, full lips were discovered accidentally as a result of an allergy to fresh plums!

Today’s verse describes the flattering lips.  These are lips that use words to manipulate and gain power.  What these lips say is pleasant to hear.  Truth plays no part.  These is boasting and arrogance communicated with these lips.  They answer to no one and they are their own master.  No one has the right to tell them what to say or refrain from saying.  They can use the truth when convenient, or not.  They use words like, “misrepresent” rather than “lie.”  Rather than apologize, these lips will say, “it was regrettable.”

What a contrast these lips are to the words of the Lord.  They are described as “flawless” (verse 6).  God’s words are like silver refined in a furnace and purified seven times.  I would much rather my lips resembled His.  But I am unable to attain that standard on my own.  He alone is capable of controlling what comes out of my mouth. (James 3:7).  Through His Spirit, He provides that self-control.  My lips may not look like the photo, but “an honest answer is like a kiss on the lips!” (Prov. 24:26)

Lord, be the Master of my lips today.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 12:16 “Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.”

There is nothing that annoys more quickly than stepping on a piece of gum.  It stubbornly sticks to the shoe and resists most efforts at cleaning.  There is lots of advice out there on how to remove that nasty gum, including ice cubes, WD 40 motor oil, peanut butter, and freezing the shoe in a plastic bag.  But those methods do not help when I am out and about.  I end up walking on that foot gingerly, smelling like mint until I can get back home!

Insults can stick like gum to the shoe.  We remember every harsh or unkind word.  The more publicly it is uttered, the more it sticks to our memories.  But showing annoyance at the time it is said puts us at a disadvantage.  We are called, “foolish,” when we show that the insult of another annoys us.  However, we are viewed as prudent when we can immediately overlook that insult.  When we can manage to overlook it, it will not stick to us.  Not only will others not remember it, but we ourselves have a better chance of forgetting it as well.

It is such a wonderful quality to be able to shrug off an insult.  It is even “to our glory” to overlook an offense (Prov. 19:11).  We are viewed as the better person for taking this high road.  But quite frankly, I find it very difficult to do.  It helps me to look to the model of Jesus who was insulted, reviled, mocked and misunderstood.  Yet, He did not reply in kind or hold a grudge.  He responded with an offer of forgiveness.  It did not stick!

Lord, give me the wisdom and prudence to overlook insults.