A WORD TO THE WISE: Proverbs 26: 23

Proverbs 26: 23     Fervent lips with a wicked heart are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

Proverbs 26: 23.  Game.  Spin.  The fine art of using beautiful words to express and advance the ugliest of intentions.  Some of the practitioners are so, so very good at it; but if examine a little more carefully....

Consider the male playa who says, “I’m looking for a strong, independent sista who knows who she is.  I’m not trying to be your daddy or your keeper.  I don’t want to define you or make your happiness dependent on me.  I want to be there for you to do you.  I’m looking for a woman who can appreciate me for the good man I am but at the same time is so secure in herself that she’s not worried about what some other woman says about her man.”

So beautiful.

But scratch past the shiny veneer of compliment and empowerment. Weigh the arguments to see what it’s really made of.   What the playa actually said was, “I want a woman who has money and won’t expect me to pay any bills.  I don’t want to make any commitments or be held to any responsibility  I want you to go to your job and take care of me, my wants, and my needs.  And when (not if) I cheat on you I want you to believe whatever lie I tell you.” 

Or think about the politician who tells you, “We want to make sure that job creators have access to resources that aren’t being utilized so that they can put those resources to work creating jobs and wealth.  We want to remove barriers to growth in the labor market and encourage everyone to take responsibility for their own success rather than depending on government to tell them what to do.”

That sounds so grand and empowering.

But scratch past the veneer.  Weigh the arguments carefully.  What the spin-master actually said was, “If you don’t make a lot of money we’re going to take your land and give it to somebody who’s already rich.  If you’re lucky they’ll let you come back and work at making more money for them.  We’re going to rewrite the law so that the rich guys can treat their employees anyway they want.  At the same time we’re giving tax breaks to the rich company we’re going to keep collecting your taxes while cutting any program that might help you rise above your current socioeconomic status.”

It’s so easy to fall for.  It’s like when you get caught up in the rhythm of a song and find yourself singing it until you stop and reaaaalllly listen to the lyrics and you go, “Crap!  Is that what they’re saying?!”

The flow and eloquence of an argument is important, but you need to be able to look beyond how it sounds and discern clearly what it means.

Remember that a clay bowl plated in silver may be just as pretty and just as thick as a dish made entirely of the precious metal.  But, the real silver dish will be heavier, weightier.  The surface color will run deep and show even when scratched.

If you can’t tell up front whether an idea or person is genuine then watch how he/she performs under pressure.  When it’s time to “hold you down”/ to be strong for you, does his/her integrity prove solid----- or light?

When a deeper commitment to the professed principle is needed,do they show themselves genuine and consistent even when scratched/ attacked/ questioned/ confronted?  Or, does a little damage change who they appear to be?

If you’re happy with silver-plated fakeness then fine.  But, if you need/ want something/ someone who’s real all the way through, then return/ repent of the fake stuff; and examine the next dish much more carefully before you commit to it.

(Matthew 23: 23-28)

----- Anderson T. Graves II

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church

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