A Fool's Lips

July 5

I Chronicles 10-12

Psalm 78:17-31

Proverbs 17:7-8

Romans 2

A Fool’s Lips

“Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—how much worse lying lips to a ruler!  A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.” 

Proverbs 17:7-8 NIV

I’m sure these verses have always been true but we can definitely see them playing out in our world today.  “Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool.”  All we have to do is turn on any news station to find politicians, world leaders, businessmen, and religious leaders giving eloquent speeches.  They are very persuasive with their words and can seem sincere with good intentions.  But when we listen carefully to their words and balance those with their actions we realize that they are godless fools who are more concerned with their own interests and agendas than they are in looking out for the interests of those they were called to serve.  Satan himself is very eloquent.  He knows just the right words to say to deceive us into following his way instead of doing what God desires.  He will say anything he can to lead us astray.  He is the father of lies so nothing he says can be trusted.  Likewise, those who follow him cannot be trusted because they lie at will and will say anything to get you to do what they want.  “How much worse lying lips to a ruler!”  We should be able to trust our leaders.  Being called to lead is a sacred calling and should be entered into as an honor and privilege.  Being honest and trustworthy should be a prerequisite for those in leadership positions.  Unfortunately, that is not how it often plays out.  Most politicians say whatever they have to say to get elected and then do not follow through on their promises once they get in office.  We often have to choose between the lesser of evils instead of having good, honorable candidates to elect.  It seems that daily we find out about another scandal involving high profile leaders whose lies are being exposed. 

Following the verse about lying lips in a ruler is one about bribery.  This is fitting because the leaders who are prone to lying are more likely to accept bribes.  It is shocking to discover many elected officials in Washington making a couple hundred thousand dollars a year are multimillionaires.  Make that add up.  Bribery, insider trading, and you scratch my back I’ll scratch yours is acceptable and just the way things are done.  Those with the money or power to bribe officials think that they are in control and that they can have anything they want.  That may be true for a time, but God will not be mocked.  Rulers will be held accountable.  Those in positions of leadership will give an account to God for their actions.  Those giving bribes and taking bribes will one day be judged for their actions.  As believers, our responsibility is to pray for our leaders.  Power can lead good men astray.  We need to pray for wisdom when we cast our votes and for discernment to be able to see through the lies and eloquent speech to see the truth. We can trust that God is sovereign and He will make all things right.