Beyond the Weekend

August 29 | Traps

August 29, 2019

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives. Proverbs 18:7

Read: Proverbs 18:7

Listen: Proverbs 18

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Community was essential in the ancient world. People needed their family and the tribe’s resources, protection and support for survival. Reckless words could cause someone to be ostracized from their community. The result was exposure to the elements, wild animals and even death.

God designed us for community. Healthy friendships and relationships pick us up when we fall and defend us (Ecclesiastes 4:10, 12).  We destroy relationships and harm ourselves when we use our words to prey on another’s weakness or to build ourselves up. We can gain short-term advantages but suffer long-term consequences.

We spiritually trap ourselves when we set a snare with our words. We work against God—instead of with him. We might mock someone to step up the social ladder. Maybe we slam the competition in an attempt to sway their customers our way. Perhaps we criticize our teammate because they’re the starter and we want to get off the bench. Using our words to manipulate a situation or hide our insecurities damages others. It also hurts us and our relationship with God. Our words can be our undoing.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Spend time confessing to God how your words have snared you. Ask God to reveal your motives for tearing others down. Ask his Spirit to warn you when your words move into gossip.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

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