Proverbs 14: King James Bible
A Sound Heart – Daily Devotion of Proverbs chapter fourteen, Verses 29-30
29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. 30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
Daily Inspiration from These Verses – A Sound Heart
I think some of us need to memorize verse 29, write it on sticky notes, and plaster our dashboards, refrigerators, cubicles, toolboxes, computer monitors, and televisions with them. There is no shortage of things that will not rest, till you’ve given place to wrath.
And why not? After all, we are in a spiritual battle, and whether you know it or not, there are things out there that are doing whatever they can, to cause for you to follow what comes naturally, instead of what comes supernaturally.
What comes naturally is of the flesh, things such as wrath, pride, envy, jealousy, etc… Things that come supernaturally, are often the opposite and most unexpected reactions, in the face of all the same things that provoke the natural reactions above.
Jesus tells us of “His Peace,” which is a great example. His peace surpasses all understanding, because it makes zero sense to the flesh. When the world is coming down on top of you, and you’re praising the Lord, that’s a peace that goes beyond what makes sense to a natural minded person.
A sound heart can not be attained, with things like wrath and envy, nor can there be a cohabitation between them. Peace through Christ, can shine through anyone, who’s crucified the flesh, and lives in the spirit, by the Spirit of the Lord.
God is spirit, and we who worship him, must worship in spirit and in truth. The flesh doesn’t get it. That is why there are many people who will never fully understand the Lord. The world has so twisted their minds, that when they must believe to see, they’re waiting to see to believe.
Forgiveness is another thing that this world and anyone who lives in the flesh, can’t grasp. Forgiveness is more important to the forgiver, than it is for the forgiven. But what’s the flesh want to do? We all know, it’s much easier to stay bitter, and wait for someone to come to you to initiate an apology (because it may not happen, and the flesh craves turmoil), than it is to make an honest decision to truly forgive someone.
The flesh is dumbfounded by this, and most people who don’t have the Lord, wind up astonished. But they have no idea, what is going on in the spirit, and what wicked assignment is being cancelled by an open act of forgiveness.
A sound heart will help us to stay cool under pressure, and not behave in wrath. With the Spirit of the Lord at the helm, it becomes easier to see the damage done by reacting the way the flesh wishes to act. But also, the Holy Ghost shows us the good when it occurs, when you’ve decided to step back and let him take care of things.
Related New Testament Scripture
Mark 4: King James Bible
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mark 9: King James Bible
50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltiness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
John 4: King James Bible
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
John 14: King James Bible
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14: King James Bible
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Romans 8: King James Bible
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
1 Corinthians 2: King James Bible
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
2 Corinthians 13: King James Bible
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Prayer
Father,
Thank you for your Word, and for your commands and advice. Thank you for taking great care, to give us details that we can use to our advantage, in our pursuit of getting closer to you. Please examine our hearts Lord, and should there be a need for correction, expose it in our eyes Lord, and present to us the solutions through your Spirit, and through your Word. This we pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen
Question
Do you respond to things with a sound heart?
Thanks Brian…yes, it is good to have the Lord’s peace, which the world does not understand…at all. The carnal minded individual loves turmoil, and simply can not live in peace. Speaking of envy, the country that I live in, has made a cottage industry out of slandering foreigners. When the foreigner responds, he is brought up on phony “slander” charges, to elicit a monetary scam separating the foreigner from his money. I have been falsley accused twice (2011, 2014), resulting in the accusers failing to scam any of my money. I thank the Lord for His protection, they bubble and boil internally, frustrated at their failure. The Lord’s peace to you, Brian; stay safe Brother…Amen.
Hi there George,
Thanks for the comment!
Wow, that’s quite the policy they’ve got going on over there. However, the same thing goes on over here stateside. The difference is, it’s things that we’re used to, so it doesn’t give off the vibe of a money squeeze ploy. To prove it, just think about how many people get arrested in this country per day (I have no number to give, but I’ll bet a house that it’s a high number). Now, if it is a false charge, or if people are found to be innocent of whatever they were arrested for, and you’ve posted bail, do you get the bail money back? No.
That’s just one example, and it spiderwebs out from there. Money money money… But with your situation, that’s just plain foolish. It’s taking money that would otherwise be supporting local businesses, instead of the local powers that be. I can’t wait for the Kingdom of the Lord to come, and push these crazy, greedy policies into the sea. Glad that the Lord took care of that for you, and granted you his peace. Praise the Lord God Almighty!
May the Father bless you in abundance constantly, in Jesus mighty name!
In Christ,
Brian