August 3, 2026 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Proverbs
Proverbs 27:14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
Flagrant unfetter words of praise are often the mask for insincerity of the heart and become repugnant to the hearer.
There is a saying that goes like this: “He who praises you more than is wont to do, either has deceived you, or is about to do it.”
We know that Absalom used this same tactic to win Israel’s heart just before he tried to take the kingdom from his own father King David.
2Samuel 15:2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. 3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! 5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. 6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
We see the same thing in the book of Acts when a young damsel followed Paul and gave loud, blatant, false praise day after day.
Acts 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
Proverbs 27:14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
Proverbs 17:7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
As I go about this day, Lord make my tongue to be used for your honour and glory. Let my speech be acceptable in your sight.
Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
God is the only one who can change the way you talk when He changes your heart, and that happens in Christ Jesus.
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
