Proverbs 10:12-16 — You can go with this, or you can go with that

 READ THIS: Proverbs 10:12-16

12 Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. 13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense. 14 The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. 15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor. 16 The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

All 5 of these verses have one thing in common: “…but!” Once again, we see proverbs that tell a different story or description of someone, and there really aren’t a whole lot of similarities between them. However, each of these proverbs describes one way of living, then says the word “but,” then describes the opposite side of living. So what does this teach us?

The most important lesson we can learn here is that in every situation we may find ourselves in, we have two choices! We can choose conflict, or we can choose love. We can choose wise words, or we can say what we want without thinking. We can store up knowledge or forget about it. We can store up worldly treasures or heavenly treasures. We can live righteously, or we can live wickedly. Life presents us with choices all the time… so choose wisely!

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Has there ever been a time in your life when you had to make a tough decision?

2. What helps you make hard choices? Who can you go to?

 

TRY THIS:

Before you make ANY choice, big or small today, take a second to breathe and ask for Jesus’s help!