Let Mercy, Kindness and Truth Define You
Who we become all depends on what we are taught and what we believe. If we are taught and believe lies we will become distorted. If we are taught and believe truth we will become stable.
We can’t become anything intentional without being intentional about becoming.
The bible’s wisdom is like ointment to the wounds that the world brings. It covers those wounds, binds, heals and restores them. It nurtures and brings comfort. It offers truth, and its insights help shape us and define our character for good.
Proverbs 3:1-4 (AMP)(AMPC) combined
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death] and prosperity [the wholeness of life’s blessings] they will add to you. Do not let mercy and kindness [shutting out all hatred and selfishness] and truth [shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood] leave you [instead let these qualities define you]; bind them [securely] around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So find favour, good understanding, and high esteem in the sight [or judgment] of God and man.
Studying the various translations bring a deeper insight and fullness into the meaning.
Proverbs 3:3
(CJB)
Do not let grace and truth leave you
(ERV)
Don’t ever let love and loyalty leave you.
(GWT)
Do not let mercy and truth leave you.
(GNT)
Never let go of loyalty and faithfulness.
(ICB)
Let kindness and truth show in all you do.
(TLB)
Never tire of loyalty and kindness. Hold these virtues tightly.
(MEV)
Do not let mercy and truth forsake you
(NIV)
Let love and faithfulness never leave you
Proverbs 3:3-4 (NLT)
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favour with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.
It’s important to drink in these words and digest them, and allow them to mould us. Otherwise, how we are shaped is based on changing ideology that the world defiantly teaches, based on human understanding, shifting between generations, and each generation becomes more unstable. We can see that in the world around us. It’s only growing darker and more violent without God's truth and loving-kindness.
Don't let the world define you. Let mercy, kindness and truth define you.
The bible shows us wisdom and direction. It offers light and hope and what is trustworthy. It tells us to tie these virtues around our neck so that we can always remind ourselves of them, and write them on our heart, so we will love them, practise them, and finally, become them.
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