February 24, 2026 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Proverbs
Proverbs 16:27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. 28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. 29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. 30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
There are several different kinds of men listed here, the ungodly man, the forward man, the whispering man and the violent man. I would hope that no Christian is ever accused of being one of these.
Instead of harmony and unity there is a cacophony of unrest, meddling and backbiting leading others astray.
It is the ungodly man, the unsaved man, the man who is not born-again that digs up evil and would lead others to do the same thing. As the book of James says, that person would set the course of nature on fire with words. I would hope no bible believing born again Christian is ever accused of such behaviour.
James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
It is that man who sows strife among others with whispering words and talebearing. Many who are without understanding would follow their pernicious way and separate themselves from even their chiefest friends, believing what others have said rather than trusting a long held relationship of truth. It brings about detestation, alienation and separation of which the genuine believer tries to forsake.
Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
Be careful of the backbiter and whisperer in your life. That is exactly what happened to Jesus when the Pharisees and the Sadducees conspired against Him in the back rooms of the synagogues.
Peter accused those religious zealots of doing just that when he said “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:” (Acts 2:23)
Proverbs 16:27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. 28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. 29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. 30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
Many dear believers have been enticed by the violent man with his zeal, energy and devise, doing something they should not, going into the way that is not good. This kind of deception leads to evil.
However, the person who’s eyes are upon the Lord and who compares what is said and done according to the word of God, living in the fear of the Lord, will see the error and flee.
Proverbs 16:27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. 28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. 29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. 30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
Let’s stop and ask; do you subtly dig up evil, whisper and talk about others? Does your speech separate friends and entice others to follow in a way that is not in good standing with God?
I believe Jesus put it best when He said, “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” Matthew 5:37
The way of righteousness is always the good way. Jesus is the righteous one who changes everything. Would you trust Him?
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
