Proverbs 17:11-28

“A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity” (v20).  The Old and New Testaments both speak often about our hearts, explaining that our behavior reflects the desires and affections we have cultivated.  Our characters are always forming, and so God warns us not to ignore the small seeds of sin, which may grow out of control.  “The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out” (v14).

“The discerning sets his face toward wisdom” (v24).  We can choose to cooperate with God’s work in our hearts, and His will is that we grow in wisdom and obedience - holiness (I Thess 4:3).