“Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.” Proverbs 26:8
Devotional Thought For The Day
We are not much accustomed to the use of a “sling” and stones anymore and probably know little about this weapon. I was first introduced to it as a little boy, reading the accounts of David and Goliath. Given my lack of experience and knowledge, and the way the account was written, I was astounded at God’s goodness and providence in saving David from death, and the children of Israel from Philistine dominance, by means of a simple slingshot. Later, as with many young boys, I was introduced to modern versions of slingshots – the kind with elastic bands attached to a “Y” which thrust small objects at a target with considerable force and accuracy. This was fun for a while; however, BB guns, pellet guns, and other weapons seemed much more interesting and effective for hitting targets.
Obviously, if the projectile is bound to the sling it will never leave the sling – and will not hit the target. In fact, the projectile remains in close proximity to the person doing the “slinging,” and may end up doing harm to that person. At best, the target is left unharmed and no food is obtained by the hunter. If the sling is being used in self-defense or in battle, the enemy remains unharmed and capable of inflicting harm or death on the poor ignorant person. So the proverb makes abundantly clear the foolishness, absurdity, and utter ineffectiveness of binding a stone to a sling. The point of comparison then is poignant – this is the absurdity of giving honor to a fool. It is useless as to any good effect, and it may in fact endanger those who choose to honor fools. So the giving of honor to a fool is foolish, and makes the person doing so a fool as well.
We still have this wisdom within us, to some degree I believe, at least many people do. We understand that foolish people are unpredictable, and unable to discern or care about the great harm that their wicked and evil and irrational thoughts and actions can inflict on others. We also understand that “honoring” or praising such people only encourages and emboldens them – and this only predicts that they are going to do even worse harm and evil. We’ve even experienced this, foolish people emboldened by the praise of others, increase in foolishness and the brashness of their evil. This dynamic prevails in all arenas of human endeavor – work, play, government, the military, and the church. We also observe that many people, ignorant of these dynamics, are willing to “toady” up to powerful, wealthy, or influential fools – unaware of the evil they are promoting or the danger this poses to themselves. Almost always, such fools pay for these indiscretions and foolishness.
So God does not praise human beings, nor foolishly praise and laud us. He knows the sinfulness in our hearts and minds, that in regard to fallen mankind “every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” [Gen. 6:5] He also knew what would become of His dear Son when He so loved us as to give Him as “the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.” [John 1:29] God also knows the power of true Christian faith as a means to refresh and renew human hearts in love, and that true repentance is prerequisite to such faith. So He not only provides us with “blood atonement” for all our sins in Christ Jesus, but He calls us to repentance for all of our sin, evil, and foolishness. To the repentant, those confessing their sins in humility and sorrow, He assures full and complete forgiveness. In this faith our hearts and minds are turned away from evil, foolishness is cast out, and we are being renewed in wisdom and genuine love. Part of that wisdom is understanding that we must always take our stand for what is good, true, and right [what accords with God’s written Word, Holy Scripture] – and can never be involved in the praising of fools.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, grant us strength of faith and increased knowledge of Your great love for us, that we resist all temptations to aid and abet fools. Help us to stand firm against all wickedness and foolishness, and preserve us from the harm that the foolish seek to bring upon us. Especially we pray that You would thus graciously deliver Your church, even as You delivered David and Israel of old. Amen.