Proverbs 10:9 – Verse of the Day 10/1/14

Scientists who study human behavior will tell you that we almost always are willing to sacrifice our long-term benefits for short-term pleasures. It’s hard to eat healthy foods when we would rather eat chocolate cake. It’s hard to exercise when we would rather lay on the couch. It’s hard to study when we would rather just hang out with our friends. How does our preference for short-term pleasure affect the way we talk, though? What are the long-term consequences?

The book of Proverbs talks a lot about wise speech, and this proverb is a good example. Here the point is that what a person says has consequences, and walking with integrity (truthfulness) contrasts with walking along crooked paths (untruthfulness). The person who speaks untruth is ultimately found out, and therefore telling the truth is not only the right thing, but also the sensible thing.

Are you tempted to speak untruthfully in the pursuit of short-term gain? As you remind yourself of the long-term consequences, spend some time asking God’s forgiveness and thanking him for his mercy. It truly is amazing that Christ has paid the penalty for the sins of those who place their trust in him, including the penalty for our untruthful speech.