Indiscretion

For Thursday, August 4, 2005
Proverbs 11:22

Like a gold ring in a pig's snout
is a beautiful woman without discretion.

A gold ring in a pig's snout is a waste of beauty and value. So a woman who acts foolishly, especially in the area of relationships and sexuality, wastes her beauty. Her very beauty ought to be an adornment that enhances her "value." And yet, through indiscretion she wastes it. A gold ring in a pig's snout is out of place. The together make a laughable picture. So, again, a beautiful woman turns herself into a mockery.

So it is when we misuse any gift we have been given by God. We all have been given gifts of one kind or another. It may be physical beauty; it may be high aptitude in a particular skill or expertise; it may athleticism. Whatever it is, we should not let it be said of us, "There goes a waste of talent."

Why do we waste what we are given? For one thing, we have inordinate desires. We desire what is sinful, what does not belong to us, is not fitting for us. We covet the gifts of others, not satisfied with ours. Disappointments cause us to lose perspective about what really matters.

Our sinful and foolishness then make our gifts our very weaknesses. Physical beauty is a danger for a foolish, sinful woman. Great athleticism becomes a danger for a foolish athlete who cannot handle the rewards. Pride is always lurking in our exercise of our gifts; all the more reason we must use them with wisdom.