YOU HAVE TO HATE SOMEONE TO WANT TO HURT HIM WITH LIES

Have we read portions from the Bible, which surprised us with their clarity, and their depth? The LORD, our Creator and the Redeemer, has an amazing way of speaking to us, in ways that are not only surprising, in its candidness, but are intentionally spoken, to make us feel uncomfortable, so that, we would wake up from our slumber, and sober up to seek the LORD in all sincerity. Such is the wisdom contained in the Bible, which is the written Word of God. 

When we read Proverbs 26:28, we come to such a conclusion. God speaks to us, to illuminate the human heart and all its “glorious” sinfulness and wickedness.
– “28 A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.” – Proverbs 26:28
One has to hate the person so intensely, that he does not hesitate to lie to him. This is what the LORD is speaking to us this morning. So precise in its understanding of human heart. So powerful in its intention to speak the truth…the uncomfortable and discomforting truth.

The following translation of the same verse, would help us know and realise, the depth of human depravity, that is found in you and me.
– “28 You have to hate someone to want to hurt him with lies. Insincere talk brings nothing but ruin.” – Proverbs 26:28

Derek Kidner writing in “Proverbs – An Introduction and Commentary” says…
– “The heart of the matter is exposed in Proverbs 26:28, with the fact that deceit, whether it hurts or soothes, is practical hatred, since truth is vital, and pride fatal, to right decisions.”
John Trapp, writing in ‘A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments” says…
– “False love proves to be true hatred.”

How many times have we not lied? How many times have we not justified lies? How many times have we not rationalised lies? How many times did we not, run away from the truth, because of its consequences? How many times have we not taken shelter, under the shadow of lies, to escape the consequences of our wrongs? What is in our hearts? Are we truly the image of what we are projecting ourselves to others? Is what others see is just a mere facade? Who are we?

Here is a glimpse of human heart…not someone else’s heart dear friend…yours and mine…yes…my heart is human, and it can be just as wicked as anyone else’s.
– “3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live…” – Ecclesiastes 9:3
– “5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” – Genesis 6:5
– “9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” – Jeremiah 17:9
– “43 “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” – Luke 6:43-45

Let us always remember this – YOU HAVE TO HATE SOMEONE TO WANT TO HURT HIM WITH LIES. May the LORD help us to be His true representatives, and ambassadors, reflecting His light, in an ever darkening world. Even so the LORD help us.