The Fool (Part 12)

The Fool

Proverbs 10:18 (KJV) ¹⁸ He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

Each of the next four verses refers to some aspect of talking.  Herein Proverbs 10:18 the message is simple. 

1.  Fools conceal their hatred with lying words.

The deep resentment, meditating resentment, cruelty, and deadly hatred in their hearts are covered with a lie.  Their lying lips conceal their wicked heart.

Try as they may, eventually what is in the heart comes out. 

Luke 6:43-45 (KJV) ⁴³ For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. ⁴⁴ For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. ⁴⁵ A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

The second part of this verse is one way the heart of hatred in revealed, slander. 

Slander is when one speaks words intentionally to injure or impair the reputation of another.  It is giving a false report with the intent of lessening him in the eyes of others.

2.  Fools use their words to injure the reputations of others.

I am reminded of the words of the poet, Tasso who said; How much better it is that he speak ill of me to all the world, than that all the world should speak ill of me to him.

On the communion table of the Augustine, there lay a verse to the effect that whoever attacked the character of the absent, was to be excluded.

Mark Twain said; there are a hundred different ways of lying, but that the only kind of lying that is flatly forbidden in the Bible is bearing false witness against our neighbor.

Examine your heart today.  Are there any feelings of animosity towards others?  Is there resentment? Do you speak words that damage the reputation of others?  Do you attempt to lessen the esteem others hold of someone by the words you speak?  Do you slander?