Scripture

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for so you will heap coals of fire on his head and the Lord will reward you.
(Proverbs 25:21-22)

Devotional

The aim of doing good to our enemies is not for the purpose of condemnation, but conviction. The coals of fire are coals of persuasion not blame. We are not to win the war over our enemies. We are to win over our enemies. A kind word goes much further than a harsh utterance. A word of care and concern goes much further than protests and marches. No one has ever been badgered into the Kingdom of God. Jesus never coerced anyone. He told them the truth in love and encouraged them to follow Him. Proving someone wrong does little more than defeating the very one we are attempting to win. Do you have any enemies? Feed them words of kindness and give them a drink of living water. Introduce them to your greatest friend, your Lord and master the Lord Jesus Christ. They and the Lord will reward you.

Text For The Day

Proverbs 25:21, 22: If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

Thought For The Day

“When Benjamin Franklin wished to interest the people of Philadelphia in street lighting, he didn’t try to persuade them by just talking about it. He hung a beautiful lantern on a long bracket in front of his home.” Unknown

Questions To Ponder

·         Has God ever heaped coals of fire on your head?
·         The coals of fire that you have used were they for punishment or restoration?
·         Is there anyone in your life that could use coals of persuasion (a bread to eat or a water to drink)?

Morning Study Guide

Defining: “Persuasion”: Communicating in such a positive way as to win those who may be in opposition to you—even more so to those who may be in opposition to God.

Referencing: “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” Matthew 5:44.

Applying: Endeavor to win people, not arguments.