Stop the Drip
Dear Friends,
While in the ladies room at work today. The lady who was washing her hands, as I was coming in, did not completely turn off the faucet. It was really quiet in there, and the drip became quite annoying. I couldn’t wait to come out of the stall to stop it. As I listened to it, it brought to mind what Solomon had wrote in Proverbs 27:15, “A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.”
Now, Solomon, according to the bible had 700 wives and 300 concubines. So, I know this scriptures was very near and dear to what he experienced daily. In fact having this many women in his life would eventually turn his heart away from the Lord, according to I Kings 11:3. Can I share with my fearfully and wonderfully made wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, cousins, and friends. If we aren’t careful, we will easily find ourselves being quarrelsome, debatable, and confrontational in our conversations with the people who in our lives. Truly, if we are honest, as women if we think we are right, we become very combative and committed to making sure that others see things our way. Sometimes, it could be the truth of God’s word, but if it has us in contention, then we can be assured that it’s not God way. Reading further into I King 11, about Solomon, I learned that his wives eventually turned his heart to serve other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord anymore. This was an eye opener for me!! God doesn’t want his women ( wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, etc.) to be contentious. Contention could easily sway the hearts of the people to do things our way, versus God’s way. It could also lead them to listen to our voice, instead of God’s voice. Both to which we don’t want to play that little “g” god in their lives.
.
“Contentious” in KJV Dictionary is defined as, “1. Apt to contend; given to angry debate; quarrelsome; perverse.”
God wants his women to operate in His wisdom. He does not have need, or desire for us to operate in our own wisdom. His desire is for us to seek Godly wisdom that comes from above. James 3:17 NIV, says “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” Let’s not give our tongues anymore clearance to being that continual drip mentions in Proverbs 27: 15, to the people we are assigned to. Let’s instead be intentional with our tongues like those mentioned in Proverbs 15:4, “The soothing tongue is a tree of life….”and Proverbs 31:26, “When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.”
If you are like me, you have suffered from the Continually Drip Syndrome. This devotional is not here to condemn, but instead to convict our hearts to choose a more excellent way. That more excellent way, is God’s way. Let’s take this as an opportunity to repent, and go the other way.
My Prayer:
Lord, thank you that all of your scriptures are God breathed, and they are very valuable for teaching us your truth, convicting us of our sins, correcting our faults, and training us in right living. We thank you that the unfolding of your words gives light, and it gives understanding to the simple. Lord, we repent for the times we have been a continually drip in the lives of your children. We repent for doing things in our own wisdom out of fear, and not seeking your wisdom in faith. We thank you that today your mercies are new towards us. Holy Spirit be the bridle of our tongues, and may we only speak when you lead us.
In Jesus Name, Be it Unto Us According to Your Word. Amen.
Stopping the Drip,
Chanda Rose
