Proverbs 15:11-12
Even hell holds no secrets from God—
do you think he can’t read human hearts?
Know-it-alls don’t like being told what to do;
they avoid the company of wise men and women.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A few days ago, I mentioned that I recently read The Village Healer’s Book of Cures by Jennifer Sherman Roberts. This historical fiction recalls the life of a young widow who learned herbal medicine from her mother, grandmother, and other women in a small village outside of London, England, in 1646. Along comes a man who declared himself to be the “Witchfinder General” (and falsely insists he is sanctioned by Parliament), and he makes all sorts of claims to the villagers that convince them this woman is a witch and should be hanged. In fact, this self-appointed charlatan has set himself up as an “authority” and “witchfinder,” and he has traveled through several villages condemning local healers and hanging them as witches.
Like this Proverb describes, the man is secretive and a “know-it-all” who avoids the company of anyone who might question his claims and motives. He “leads” with arrogance and selfishness and all but dares anyone to challenge his pronouncements. Ultimately, the readers learn the truth about this man – and the secrets he harbored – demons in his own life that made him truly evil. The villagers may not have known all this man’s specific sins and wrongdoings…but I assure you that God knew. And as Solomon reminds us in Proverbs 15:11, God can read our human hearts.
You may never say an untoward word aloud or do anything that others would deem to be disrespectful, dishonest, arrogant or selfish. But if you curse someone as he/she walks away, God knows. You may be cordial and pretend to be accepting and kind toward certain people…all while loathing them privately. And God sees your hypocrisy. You may think you are guarding your reputation, or protecting another person’s feelings by suppressing what you really think and feel…but you’re not fooling God for even a split second!
This is not to suggest that we should simply “let it all hang out” and see what happens! Often when we hide our true feelings and sugarcoat our words, we know in the moment that God would not approve of our words and actions. After all, when we do this, we are insulting and denigrating God’s children…each one as precious to Him as you and I. And those who make false claims and seek the company of people and groups who will listen and believe them are wasting God-given energy – and disavowing any commitments to love and serve as He commands.
We are all guilty of saying hurtful and unseemly things about others under our breath or behind closed doors. And we are all wrong for doing so. Even if nobody ever sees or hears these things, GOD KNOWS! And pleasing God is all that matters. So choose your words – and your company – wisely. Speak and act in a way that brings honor and glory to your LORD and Master. Let’s get real here…it’s way past time for many of us to clean up our act. This is the perfect day to get started! Alleluia!
©2024 Debbie Robus
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