January 12, 2026 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Proverbs
Proverbs 12:17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. 18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. 19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. 21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. 22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. 23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
He that speaks truth shows righteousness to all. The lip of truth will be established forever and the counsellors of peace have joy. Dealing truly with others are the delight to the Lord: after all, it is to the Lord that we live and breathe and have our being.
Ah, the blessings of having positive and truthful speech make life a delight. Let me remind you that speaking truth and being positive and wise with our tongue and being prudent does not mean that we speak without offence.
“Positive” in our world today means not saying anything that offends other people. To them it means you should always accept whatever the other person does or believes even if it is wrong; you should accept everything as being good. That is not what being positive is.
The true meaning of being positive is to be direct and explicit without being arbitrary; it means to be factual without being deceitful. It means no sugar coating just to make someone feel good. One can test positive for a disease and not be happy with the diagnosis. The result is still positive.
Being positive means to present all the facts without deceit or using innuendoes or false implications. It means being honest.
It means confidence and being dogmatic in some cases. “I am positive that person is saved and living for the Lord.”
Yes, being positive also means without negativity, but don’t make that the standard for it is only one aspect. Just be truthful and honest with your tongue.
Proverbs 12:17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. 18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. 19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. 21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. 22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. 23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
Rather than being an abomination to the Lord be a delight by dealing in truth.
A prudent man conceals knowledge, in other words, the prudent man gives the truth when truth can be accepted while the fool just says whatever comes to his mind.
Jesus always spoke the truth, He was always positive (in the true meaning of the word) in what He said.
Forty three times in the new testament you will find the phrase “Jesus saith.”
Sixty five times in the new testament you will find the phrase “Jesus said.”
It would do you well to see what Jesus spoke about.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The choice is till yours,
Pastor Cook
