Proverbs 11:17 “The merciful man does good for his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.”
Some people are their own worst enemy. I hope you are not. I heard a speaker tell one time that if he could kick the person in the seat of his pants that was causing him the majority of his problems, he would not be able to sit down for a week.
As our verse conveys, you can do things that help yourself, and you can do things that hurt yourself. Our verse gives us a contrast between a merciful man and a cruel man. Quite a contrast, I might add to consider!
What comes to mind when you read the description of a merciful man? A merciful man is kind and forgives, and helps others. As they do so, they not only bless others but also bless their own soul.
What comes to mind when you read the description of a cruel man? What may be some of his or her actions? Being cruel can be expressed in numerous ways, can it not? While it can be physical cruelty, there can also be verbal and mental cruelty.. Being cruel to others not only harms others but also harms one’s own soul.
As you ponder this verse, what are some ways that you have been a blessing to others, and in turn, you found yourself richly blessed? Were you surprised at how blessed you were?
As you ponder this verse, what are some things you have done in a desire to harm or hurt someone, and in turn, it came back to bite you?
Are you presently doing good for your soul or harming your soul?
Don’t be your own worst enemy!
Continue Strong with being merciful to others,
And remember to DATE the WORD