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Friday! (in case you forgot what day it is)
Proverbs!
The soul of the wicked desires evil; 
his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
Proverbs 21:10 ESV
Not the most uplifting of Proverbs to start the year with!
However it is a true reflection of who we can be, can become.
The person who's wants, who's desires override, over rule, the call to love our neighbour.
There is no mercy in their eyes.
To anyone. 
Power. Money. Success. The deal. Sex. Control. 
And it all comes from the heart. 
The word for soul is "nephesh"
Definition: a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion
This is the seat of who we are and good things can get so easily corrupted by us. 
By me.

What happens if we flip this proverb?
My neighbour finds mercy in the eyes of the good person who's heart is for good.
A heart who's orientation has moved from selfishness to selflessness.
A heart that loves others. Looks for their good, even though it might be costly. 
Can we do that without knowing God, without loving Him?
Yes, we see that in our world every day, but knowing God gives us the reason to love our neighbour, to love others. 
Loving God changes our heart. 
Changes our motivations.
And when loving others gets messy, costly, difficult, loving God gives us the courage to continue.
#proverbs
#wisdom
#somethingtochewon
#loveGod
#lovepeople

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