INTRODUCTION

People speak of the things that carry great importance in their lives. As such, "The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life." How? Because righteous things are important to him and they permeate his conversation. On the other hand, the wicked enjoy violence and speak of it often. They hope for controversy, desirous that it will yield violence. They watch it over and over again in order to analyze the various aspects of violence. They speak of it, regardless of whether the hearer is a friend or a stranger. They pay good money to see it, and are disappointed if the level is not to their satisfaction. When a generation is this consumed with violence, it is no wonder it covers their mouths.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Haman wanted the Jews destroyed, spoke lies against them, and was willing to pay money to have it done (Esther 3:8-9 [8] And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. [9] If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.
  See All...; Proverbs 24:2For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
  See All...). He spoke of his desire for violence with his family (Esther 5:11-14 [11] And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. [12] Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. [13] Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. [14] Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.
  See All...). Romans 3:13-18 [13] Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: [14] Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: [15] Their feet are swift to shed blood: [16] Destruction and misery are in their ways: [17] And the way of peace have they not known: [18] There is no fear of God before their eyes.
  See All... describes a violent man.
• How much of your speech is marked by violence? Do you love to see violence in the news or in your entertainment? Do you speak of it often?
• What topics do you find to be the easiest to speak about to strangers? Where do you find common bonds? How much of your time is given to speaking of violence?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to help you check your conversation.
• Ask the Lord to help you speak of righteousness.

HYMN

Take My Life and Let it Be

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