Heralds Digest

“ What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar. ” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19:22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/pro.19.22.nkjv The fruitfulness of whistle-blower policy in any society suggests that an accumulation of ill-gotten wealth is generally accepted by all as a deceptive indicator of prosperity. It implies that many followers of a prosperous man may have been forced to follow, in order not to forfeit the deplorable benefits from his reign of expediency. All the received Greek gifts may appears to meet the receiver's needs of the hour, the gesture is never considered a desirable act of kindness. A real act of kindness is not self-centred, never encouraged diplomacy in relationships, exalts righteousness above riches, seeks the comfort of others in fellowship, and values integrity as the genuine measure of prosperity. Therefore, the pursuit of pure prosperity is averse to an unbridled desire for position and material prosperity.

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/pro.18.24.nkjv The level of commitment demanded in every friendship relationship makes the general conception that ' making friends is easier than keeping them ' incontestable. Most longstanding friendship relationships are supported by a high level commitment, and possibly influenced by a direct or indirect covenant or oath. Circumstances that are beyond the control of parties often arise in life; and without a serious commitment to the relationship, it is often easier for parties to admit the sense of treading the path that ease inconvenient restrictions. However, a favoured marriage is blessed by a sense of respect from one or both parties to the covenant relationship before God as sacred, mostly in the face of the temptation to adopt a self-centered, contract disposition. Likewise, a favoured parental brotherhood is of...

“He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17:19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/pro.17.19.nkjv Strife among unbelievers is purposeful and intentional; but it is a strange phenomenon among believers with like-precious faith and mostly unintentional. Nevertheless, it's appearance leads to avoidable transgression of the law of God. Most times, all parties are presumptuously prepared to offer any sacrifice that can prevent the inconvenient tension in the fellowship. Unfortunately, everyone is comfortable with his natural posture without a due consideration of the sentiment of others. Meanwhile, the scripture teaches preference in honour for others above one's personal consideration. While this admonition is mostly easier to preach than practice, it is the hallmark of the sense of community, rather than competition, in every social relationship. Soberly, we all need the grace of God in order to daily die to a subtle prefer...

“ The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/pro.17.3.nkjv Except for the mimicking of precious vessels, jars of clay have no business near the heat of the furnace. Nowadays, a measure of heat is coveted for the melting of some chemical compounds; and possibly for a good bonding of different sand and clay towards the making of the likes of precious vessels. But ideally, the heat of the furnace is the natural delight of silver and gold. The melting experiments are designed, not for a pretentious bonding, but for the removal of unwanted impurities. Likewise, the desires of vessels of honour is the removal of impurities, like pride and pretense, from the hearts. Have you ever wondered about the expediency of the heat of misfortunes in life? Furnace not funny, but the LORD tests the hearts through His expedient experiments.

“It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/pro.16.12.nkjv If Rehoboam, the son of the writer of this proverb, had kept the word of wisdom, his throne would have been established. But sincerely, it naturally appears that respects in governance is easy with tight-fist and stern dispositions, where people in position of authority rule with high-handedness. Notwithstanding, a change in the orientation to unruly behaviour, in the family, any organization and the society at large, requires discipline and consistent enforcement of standards, in order to build a respectable institution. However, an unfriendly disposition in leadership, outside the motive towards fighting corruption and indiscipline, is called wickedness - a serious abomination in the sight of God. Although some sort of compliance may be temporarily achieved by any form of unpopular enforcement, it is always unable to b...

“When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/pro.16.7.nkjv The price for peace is generally accepted to be of less importance, compared to the privileges of peace. Peace treaty often come at the expense of significant compromises to acceptable standards, including the paying of ransoms to terrorists, the granting of amnesty to criminals, the adoption of multiple standards, the use deception or carrots and stick approach, etc. These self-centered motivations or peace approaches have proven to only guarantee temporary cessation of hostility. As long as the desire of all parties in the peace accord is the pleasing of certain self interest, lasting peace is always no where in view. That is, the idea of displeasing God (by telling lies to douse tension, immoral gratification towards promotion or human recommendation, etc) in order to please man does not always work. Whereas, lasting peace pleading ...

“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭15:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/pro.15.4.nkjv The only obvious definition of wholesomeness in the tongue of a man, from the precious proverb, is the freedom from perverseness. It is the ability of a man to be an epitome of blessing, encouragement, and motivation to others, irrespective of his own personal challenges in life. It only suffices for anyone to underscore the fact that a wholesome tongue is no longer sensitive to its natural sense of taste. The natural taste of aggression, deprivation, and misrepresentation is a reflection of resentment and retaliation; but a wholesome tongue is completely delivered from the outburst of perverseness by the grace of God. Obviously, a wholesome tongue is the product of a holy heart, without which no man can access the tree of life.