We live in a very image conscious age. The popularity of visual media that ever more focuses on the details that makes one appealing and attractive makes the appearance of even greater importance in the economy of life. This is not to suggest that presentation is not important. When God told Samuel that man looks on the outside but He looks at the heart, that was not just a criticism, that was an accurate analysis of our tendencies. When we say first impressions last, a lot of that is what is unsaid and seen rather than eloquence. Yet there is so much more to life than what we see that if this remains the measuring barometer for what is the quality life then people leave themselves open to deception, disappointment and despair. The root of that is highlighted in some more sweet popcorn proverbs we find in today’s chapter one is about what comes from our mouth and the other is what comes out of our lifestyle.
Truth to Tell
Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. (Pro 12:17, 19)
What we have in this larger issue is the challenge of image versus substance. When that which appears is different to that which is then there is a problem and this is no better seen than lying with the mouth. I know quite a bit about lying. There’s something about protecting the self and putting across a picture of something that makes me look food, even at the expense of others. Especially the so-called little white-lies. It won’t cause any harm, it makes me look better as a result. There are people who actually develop that as a way of life as a safety mechanism keeping unwanted intrusions and taking the focus of blame elsewhere.
The thing about lies is the damage it does to the health of relationships. That ominous question arises ‘How can I ever trust you’? There is no answer to that, because in essence trust can be so hard to build and is already on shaky ground if there is an element of deceit involved.
Truth can be awkward and inconvenient. Truth can lead us to vulnerability and acknowledging flaws that we would prefer to keep hidden. Yet the benefits of that truth on solid, reliable relationships is incalculable. Better to share an issue and a flaw so that it can be worked on together than just allow things to be stunted and stopped in the tracks because of the lies. That’s why truth lasts forever – it always remains, because the alternative has nothing to stand on and go by. That’s why it makes so much more sense to be truthful with the words we share. Even if it is not accepted or approved, it remains and those who value quality relationships will highly value that quality even as they conversely despise liars.
Truth to Live
Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread (Proverbs 12:9)
So it’s bad enough lying with the lips, it’s even worse lying as a lifestyle. The incredible debt culture of modern times is based on the lie that people can afford to live on credit to pursue a life that they just cannot afford. The great man in this proverb is not just applicable to those fraudsters and con-artists who try and pass for rich businessmen. This playing the great man act is pervasive in the keeping-up-with-the-Joneses mentality that leads to people stretching far beyond themselves to follow the latest fashion and not be considered behind the times.
This covetous lifestyle pursuit and subsequent show for the public becomes more painful when the truth emerges. It becomes even more painful when the lifestyle wilts away and the desperate conditions make themselves apparent leading to financial ruin and severely strained relationships. This comes from that chasing of the ideal image and the desire to look and be the part of that which is considered fashionable and successful. The material things, the pretence of grandeur and the fraud of the whole thing.
Paul would go onto encourage the church in Philippi that godly contentment allows you not to be bothered about whether you’re materially plenteous or lacking. The true contentment remains in knowing you are God’s and He is yours – that is worth more than any kind of show could ever afford. That’s why there would be content even if the estate appears lowly. Even if all the mod-cons are not at hand. These truths endure while the alternatives fade away and bring about the real joy that is not based on an act, but on the fact of loving God and finding that this is sufficient for life.
So truth to live and truth to tell are worth following with all that is available in the knowledge that this will last forever.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
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