The One Year Wisdom for Women Devotional: 365 Devotions through the Proverbs by Debbi Bryson

hatred. They are Malice and Spite. And ladies, if we give them any kind of place in our souls, we will find that it is very hard to keep them in check. Even if we try to hide them, they will break out and have a life of their own.
    Definitions:
Malice implies a deep-seated animosity that delights in causing others to suffer or in seeing them suffer.
Spite suggests a mean desire to hurt, annoy, or frustrate others, usually with petty, vindictive acts.
    It’s interesting that just two words after malice in the dictionary is the word malign , which is slander. Slander is merely hatred turned into words.
    So let’s be honest. In Texas they say, “You have a burr under your saddle.” That burr keeps jabbing the horse, making him buck and kick. Do you have a burr of hatred that is rubbing you and making you mean? This hatred is really killing you—it will destroy your life, not just others’. Will you go to the Cross? Will you kneel all by yourself today and say, “Lord Jesus forgive me, wash me, free me with the power of your cleansing blood”?
    Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!
    God has some strong words to say about unresolved anger: “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:26-27, NIV ). Do you feel your anger is justified and therefore must be relived and remembered? Oh, can’t you see that is exactly how Satan gets a foothold? It may have started with someone else’s sin, but now it has become yours. Ouch! Now, let’s apply the ointment of the Word of God. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, NKJV ).

    One Year Bible Reading
    Leviticus 20:22–22:16; Mark 9:1-29; Psalm 43:1-5; Proverbs 10:18

February 28

    Too Many Words
          In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
          But he who restrains his lips is wise.
    PROVERBS 10:19 ( NKJV )
    Here’s a song with a catchy tune by Joe Jones written in 1958. You can google to listen. It goes like this . . .
          You talk too much, you worry me to death,
          You talk too much, you even worry my pet,
          You just talk, you talk too much.
    Ladies, we need to get a grip on this. Some things just don’t need to be said. If you have a tendency to speak everything that crosses your mind, pause before you speak. Ask yourself, “Would I want this said to me?” Some use the excuse, “I just have to be honest.” There is a time to speak and there is a time to refrain from speaking. If someone is having a bad hair day or they have gained some weight, your honesty is not kind or appreciated either.
    Wives, in the heat of a discussion with your husband, your words can go south real fast. Remember what Proverbs 29:11 says, “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise [woman] keeps [herself] under control” ( NIV ). Character assassination and belittling will never solve the issue. Some words are hard to forget once they are spoken.
    And here’s a prayer that can set us straight: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O L ORD , my strength and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14, NKJV ).
    We’ll close with the New Living Translation: “Don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!” (Proverbs 10:19).
    Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!
    Benjamin Franklin said, “A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.” As we have looked at the need to tame our tongues, has it brought to mind something you have said that you regret? Have you blown off steam in a moment of anger or been too harsh and critical and saw it hurt someone’s feelings? That is the Holy Spirit giving you a “holy tug” of conviction. There is no time like the present to make it right. Pick up the phone or write a sweet note today. If your heart is