(Proverbs 26:1-28)
1 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
So a curse without cause does not come to rest.
3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the back of fools.
4 Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness,
Or you will also be like him.
5 Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves,
So that he will not be wise in his own eyes.
6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool
Chops off his own feet and drinks violence.
7 Like useless legs to one who cannot walk,
So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling,
So is one who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn that sticks in the hand of a heavy drinker,
So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
10 Like an archer who wounds everyone,
So is one who hires a fool or hires those who pass by.
11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit,
So is a fool who repeats his foolishness.
12 Do you see a person wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 A lazy one says, “There is a lion on the road!
A lion is in the public square!”
14 As the door turns on its hinges,
So does a lazy one on his bed.
15 A lazy one buries his hand in the dish;
He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.
16 A lazy one is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven people who can give a discreet answer.
17 Like one who takes a dog by the ears,
So is one who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.
18 Like a maniac who shoots
Flaming arrows, arrows, and death,
19 So is a person who deceives his neighbor,
And says, “Was I not joking?”
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no gossiper, quarreling quiets down.
21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a contentious person to kindle strife.
22 The words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
23 Like an earthenware vessel overlaid with silver impurities
Are burning lips and a wicked heart.
24 One who hates disguises it with his lips,
But he harbors deceit in his heart.
25 When he speaks graciously, do not believe him,
Because there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Though his hatred covers itself with deception,
His wickedness will be revealed in the assembly.
27 One who digs a pit will fall into it,
And one who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
So honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
So a curse without cause does not come to rest.
3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the back of fools.
4 Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness,
Or you will also be like him.
5 Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves,
So that he will not be wise in his own eyes.
6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool
Chops off his own feet and drinks violence.
7 Like useless legs to one who cannot walk,
So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling,
So is one who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn that sticks in the hand of a heavy drinker,
So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
10 Like an archer who wounds everyone,
So is one who hires a fool or hires those who pass by.
11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit,
So is a fool who repeats his foolishness.
12 Do you see a person wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 A lazy one says, “There is a lion on the road!
A lion is in the public square!”
14 As the door turns on its hinges,
So does a lazy one on his bed.
15 A lazy one buries his hand in the dish;
He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.
16 A lazy one is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven people who can give a discreet answer.
17 Like one who takes a dog by the ears,
So is one who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.
18 Like a maniac who shoots
Flaming arrows, arrows, and death,
19 So is a person who deceives his neighbor,
And says, “Was I not joking?”
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no gossiper, quarreling quiets down.
21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a contentious person to kindle strife.
22 The words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
23 Like an earthenware vessel overlaid with silver impurities
Are burning lips and a wicked heart.
24 One who hates disguises it with his lips,
But he harbors deceit in his heart.
25 When he speaks graciously, do not believe him,
Because there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Though his hatred covers itself with deception,
His wickedness will be revealed in the assembly.
27 One who digs a pit will fall into it,
And one who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
We have to be careful to whom we give or ascribe honor. If we honor someone or something foolish, then we will be seen as part of that foolishness. Among the group of fools, we might feel all smart and sure, but this will not be our reputation among others. The same goes for whom or what we discredit. Even if the popular rhetoric of the day sounds like it makes sense, we really need to take a careful look at what is true and what is false.
When we don't have complete visibility to what is all actually happening behind the scenes, it is best to withhold opinions, whether they are the opinions of others or your own personal opinions. Sure, we can speculate, but we cannot speculate with confidence that we are correct. We can carefully look at the facts, but understand that we don't have all the facts. But we can pray for the situation as well as our own discernment. Definitely, we can look at the absolute truth found in God's word!
Equipping ourselves with the Lord's wisdom will enable us to figure out the best way to navigate through a conversation or someone's idealism. If what a person is saying sounds hateful or condescending towards any person or group of people, we can stand up for what is just, even if it is to just say something like, "We don't have enough information or proof to even be speaking that way." Or, "From what I have seen and read, what you are saying does not make sense." Then, know that this person cannot be trusted to pass along any sort of message to anyone. If they are distorting things in order to favor their personal preferences or agendas, they will distort anything you tell them.
Whether we are told that we can or cannot trust someone, we are to believe the best in people, but this doesn't mean that we should completely trust them right at the start. We really should get to know someone well enough before we hire them, or before we make them a close friend and confide in them. It usually doesn't take too long to see if they have integrity or not. If a person tends to lie, it's not like they are just going to stop lying. If a person has hate, even though they will try to disguise it, it will become evident soon enough. If a person loves to flatter, do not let that go to our head, because this may be a method to manipulate.
The one with integrity will be the one who makes a mistake, but soon confesses it with true remorse. The one who doesn't act like they know everything will be the one who is more trustworthy and willing to learn and develop better skills. The one who is not too proud to quickly do tasks that may seem beneath them is the one who will work hard with a servant attitude. The one who avoids getting in the middle of other people's quarrels is the one who is discerning.
It is so refreshing and peaceful to be around people of integrity. As soon as there is a person who gossips and is stirring the pot, there will be distrust, dislike, divisions, and hurt feelings. And as soon as there is someone who loves to debate and argue to win, whether it is just to try to prove how smart they are or whether they have some sort of agenda and is trying to get everyone to agree with them, there is going to be discord.
As believers, we can overcome these sinful behaviors by confessing them, and then get to exercising God's love and compassion. It is in His strength that we can apply the golden rule, to treat others as we want to be treated. As well, we can ask God for wisdom and discernment in and for all situations. Then, we can be aware of lies, deceptions and disguises, and know who and what to avoid. We can ask the Lord for the right words to say at the right time, knowing that just because something is true, we don't always need to say it, or there will be a better time and a better way to say it. And always, we are reminded to remain humble, calm and discreet, while trusting in the Lord's righteousness. In Him, we will find a peaceful, joyful refuge.
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