July 21, 2026 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Proverbs
Proverbs 26:23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. 24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; 25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. 27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. 28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A potsherd is a shard of pottery or broken glass. Silver dross is the scum that is removed from molten sliver when in the finery. To cover a piece of broken pottery or glass with scum leaves something that cannot be used even though it may look somewhat good. So is the dissembling lip and lying tongue that is used in hatred and deceit even though one speaks fair.
What lies beneath the tongue and what lies in the heart is called abomination. That person is not to be trusted nor believed.
While making proclamations of love and affection the wicked heart is deceitful using words to cover the true intent. Such is the way of the one whose hatred is covered by deceit. They are to be exposed to the entire congregation.
Did you know that hating is considered murder?
1John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Proverbs 26:23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. 24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; 25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. 27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. 28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
I am reminded of Haman who tried to dig a pit for Mordecai. Haman, who was favoured by the king believed himself to be something when he was not. When Mordecai refused to bow to him he became angry and tried to destroy Mordecai and the all the jews. He built gallows to hang Mordecai. When his hatred and diabolical plot was exposed, Haman was hanged on the gallows he built for Mordecai. He fell into his own trap. He was exposed to the whole congregation, the whole nation. (Read the book of Esther.)
How should the true believer speak?
Psalm 15:1 A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Only Jesus can change the heart.
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
