Thoughts for the Day

Bible Reading

Proverbs 12:12-15: (NIV)

12. The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.

13. An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble.

14. From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.

15. The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.

In these verses in the book of Proverbs we are shown how the righteous are delivered from trouble while the wicked are snared by their transgressions. Verse 12 tells us that wicked men desire the evil man's booty (the things that they caught in their evil net). The righteous are different, they will yield righteous fruit, because they are rooted and grounded in the love of God.

Ephesians 3:16-19: (NIV)

16. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

17. so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

18. May have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

19. And to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Proverbs 12:13-14 shows us a very important truth. Most people do not realize that the things they speak, whether positive or negative will affect their lives. We all have known some people who are habitual complainers. They are always confessing a scenario of bad things that could happen. Many of these do happen to them, because they are not walking in faith. On the other hand, people who voice a positive confession of faith in the face of their troubles, are an inspiration to others and many are granted miracles to overcome the obstacles in their lives.

We need to clarify here that this kind of confession is not the so-called "positive confession" taught by the success propagators in the world. Their "positive confessions" are directed toward "self," not toward God's Word. They build their "castles in the sky," but they are not founded on the Word of God; instead they are based on what they desire for "self." Their confessions usually voice how they will be rich and successful in this world.

Confessing God's Word will empower us to do His will. In confessing God's Word, we must not pick out just the Scriptures we desire, but also the ones the Lord desires for us. He certainly desires to bless us, but He also desires to cleanse us. We must be as enthusiastic in our confessions to be cleansed from all that would offend the Lord as we are in confessing the physical blessings He has promised us. We must learn to set a guard on our mouths, as it is very important to control our conversation. We will ultimately receive the things that we speak. If we speak evil long enough, it will come to pass; likewise if we speak good.

23. He who sacrifices thanks offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God." (Psalm 50:23).

20. From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. 21. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:20-21).

Verse 15 tells us that we are wise if we seek the counsel of God's Word, while a fool will think the way he looks at things is right. We must not merely speak our own opinions about things, but learn to speak or confess what God's Word has to say about that particular situation. We must confess our faith in God's Word. We must not confess lack, as the Heavenly Father has given us everything we need. We must not confess defeat, as God has made us more than conquerors. We must not confess doubt, as God has given us His faith. We are to speak the things that the Word of God declares as truth. We easily quote what men have to say on a subject, and many times we believe them despite what the Word of God has to say about it. Yet, we are often hesitant to quote what God says because the devil tells us we would be lying. He causes us to look at our circumstances rather than the Word. Circumstances are subject to change, and one of the things that can cause them to do so is the confession of God's Word over a particular situation.

For instance, if we are in need of finances, the devil will try to get us to confess such things as "If I do not have the money to pay my rent, I will be kicked out of my apartment," or "My credit will be ruined if I can't make the house payment." Instead, we need to align our confession with the Word of God. "My God shall supply all your (my) need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19) "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (me)" (Matthew 6:33). (Emphasis is mine). We should confess our faith and trust in the Lord by saying, "I don't know how the Lord is going to help us meet this need, but I confess that He will, because He cares for us." Then we must ask the Lord if there is anything He would have us to do. At times, He may speak a plan to us or He may send the help through a friend or give us favor with the landlord. We may not know how the answer will come, but if we stand and confess our Lord's provision in the face of our problem and have faith in Him, He will not fail us.

We bring evil and good things forth by what we speak. Jesus referred to this in

Matthew 12:34-37: (NIV)

34. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

35. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

36. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

37. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."