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Day 271 Proverbs 26:17 Proverbs 26:17 He that passes by, and meddles with strife belonging not to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears. 18 As a mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and death, 19 So is the man that deceives his neighbor, and says, Am not I in sport? 20 Where no wood is, there the fire goes out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases. 21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. 24 He that hates dissembles with his lips, and lays up deceit within him; 25 When he speaks fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation. 27 Whoso digs a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolls a stone, it will return upon him. 28 A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin. Strife and contention are found in every facet of life: families, workplaces, the church, government. Nobody likes it when people are deceitful and do what they can to bring trouble to a peaceful situation. Solomon showed that people who were like that, digging pits for other people, would themselves come to ruin, falling into their own traps. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, he told the people that those who were peacemakers were blessed. Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (KJV) As Christians, you are called to keep the peace, to break up areas of strife and contention. The only way to do that is by prayer first, and walking in peace with each other. Be your brother’s keeper, and those around you will see Christ in you. They won’t change their ways overnight, but they will see that what they are doing to cause strife will not make friends, but enemies. Let’s pray: Father, help me be a peacemaker, showing your love to those who bring strife. Let your love flow through me to them. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 7 June 2017 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay