Proverb 11

Daily Devotional from Proverb 11—

Verse 12
Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.

I’m on the board of my neighborhood HOA. I sometimes hear the grievances one neighbor has with another. It might be fast driving, ‘junk’ outside, or incessantly barking dogs…These things can be legitimately irritating.

There are good and poor ways of dealing with irritations. Proverbs suggests biting your tongue. It’s also wise to refrain from saying (or writing) anything that you wouldn’t want to say to someone’s face.

Jesus takes it even further and commands us to Love Our Neighbors. In 1 Corinthians, Paul describes what love looks like: Love is patient, and kind. It does not dishonor others, is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

I could be annoyed by what’s not ‘perfect’ about my neighbors…but…my dog barks. My weeds take over. And I hope that my neighbors will give me grace and love me anyways. Let’s love and be Jesus to our neighbors!

Audrey Rogers