Today's Verse: Proverbs 10:12

Our worst tendencies want to repay evil with evil, spite for spite, pettiness with pettiness, and hatefulness with hatefulness. God has always wanted his people to be the redemptive influence in their world, society, and relationships. Paul reminded the Christians in Rome to "not repay evil with evil" (Romans 12:17). Jesus said, "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:44–45). Here, God's wise man teaches us a similar truth. Love removes the teeth out of difficult situations, while hatefulness only turns up the flames of bitterness and spite. We're called to be a different kind of people; Jesus-shaped people that leave the world a different and better place than we found it. It isn't always easy, but it is always powerful.