FOUR GROUPS TO AVOID
PROVERBS 26:12-13, 21, 23 NKJV
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road!
A fierce lion is in the streets!”
21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart
Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.
This is a fascinating chapter in the Proverbs. There is a great deal of relational wisdom here, for this chapter puts the spotlight on four groups of people. But the spotlight is not pretty. This chapter discusses four types of people: the fool, the lazy, the contentious, and the deceiver. If you are looking for touchy-feely, fuzzy, this is not your chapter. However, if you are looking for insight into good character, this chapter is a study in what not to do.
Don't be wise in your own eyes. After eleven verses regarding a foolish person, this verse takes it to a new level. Someone who can not be taught, coached, or corrected is wise in their own eyes and is worse than a fool. Someone who can not receive wisdom from God's word is wise in their own eyes. Some of my biggest mistakes were because I had it all figured out and did not receive any input from God or anyone else. Of course, I know I am all alone in this, so just bear with me and be merciful.
The second group to avoid is the lazy person. This is the person who says there is a lion in the streets. A lion is in the road. At first glance, we would all agree that avoiding fierce lions is a smart move, not a lazy one. But the idea here is that the lazy person is always making excuses for their lack of action. And sometimes those excuses are a bit ridiculous. But, people prone to laziness typically have a reason for why things do not work out for them.
Although the fool and the lazy typically do more harm to themselves than to others, this next group of people impacts those around them. The contentious person is one who is stirring up trouble, strife, and arguments. They can be straight-up confrontational or a behind the back whisperer, but where they go, trouble goes with them. Verse 21 says that a contentious man starts and stirs up strife in the same way wood and charcoal feed a fire. When they are removed from the environment, strife dies down.
Contentious people can be toxic to any group or organization. On The Ark Church staff, we make a great effort to ensure that if you are contentious, you either change or go. Strife is a productivity killer, and no one should have to work in that environment, particularly on a church staff.
The last group to avoid is a bit harder to discern. It's the smooth talker who is actually evil in their heart. Their words are sweet, but it's a cover up for what is really in them. Verse 23 says these people are like silver glaze on a clay pot. At first glance, it looks like pure silver, but it's only a covering. Pure silver has value. Silver-covered clay, not so much. With these people, we need the discernment of the Holy Spirit. But those who throw around a lot of flattery are to be regarded with caution. Nice words are only valuable if there is a loving heart behind them.
I so appreciate God's Word and wisdom. As we listen to His word and take it to heart, we become much wiser than years of experience can bring. God's wisdom is timeless.