“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins…Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool” (Proverbs 10:12, 18).
Out of the abundance of the mouth, the heart speaks (Matthew 12:34). A heart filled with hostility and mean-spiritedness seeks to stir up strife. It disguises itself with pretentious, lying lips and foolishly initiates and perpetuates slander. It thrives upon another’s weakness, folly, and shortcomings. It is ruthlessly unmerciful and wicked.
A heart filled with love is not so. It is longsuffering, kind, and compassionate. It seeks reconciliation and peace. It does not rejoice in iniquity, only in truth. It bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things.
A careful examination of your words will indicate the contents of your heart. Is its overflow hatred or love?
