Title
It Begins With the Mouth
Scripture
Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in deep darkness.
(Proverbs 20:20)
Devotional
To curse your father or mother is to rebel against their authority as parents. This is a violation of the fifth commandment, "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you."(1) We use the term "curse" as disrespectful language or profanity. Speaking in this tone is not only disrespectful, but the onset of rebellion. If a child is permitted to speak in a disparaging manner, he or she will inevitably fall into a life of darkness. We unfortunately live in a society that sees profanity and curt speaking as a norm. Slang, improper grammar along with one word answers should not be the accepted communications culture of our youth. A child will curse his or her mother or father only if they are permitted to do so. Therefore, do not permit it. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."(2)
(1) Exodus 20:12, (2) Proverbs 22:6
Text For The Day
Proverbs 20:20: Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in deep darkness.
Thought For The Day
“Nothing is useful except what is honorable.” John Jay, “The American Revolution,” (1862–1933), He published poems, plays, translations. He was called “the best writer on literature of his generation.”
Questions To Ponder
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Why do you think that the commandment to honor your father and mother is the most repeated of the commandments?
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What does it mean to honor?
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As a son or daughter, do you honor your parents? If a parent, are you honorable and do you require your children to honor you?
Morning Study Guide
Defining: “Curse”: When practiced by man, usually involves emotional impulse. It is the outward expression of an inward character. It can also be defined as a small mind’s way of expressing itself forcefully.
Referencing: “How shall I curse whom God has not cursed? And how shall I denounce whom the Lord has not denounced?” Numbers 23:8
Applying: Never curse your parents. If for any reason you have, immediately and openly repent. Likewise, realize that profanity, like cursing, most often comes from a willing, ignorant mind.