The Thorny Mouth

For Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Proverbs 26:9

Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Whether we visualize a thorn pressing into the hand of a drunkard or of a drunkard wielding a thorn branch, the reaction is "Ouch!" So is the reaction of hearing a fool speak a proverb. What comes out of a wise person's mouth sounding profound and noble, comes out like the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard from a fool's mouth.

Why is this? For one, the fool obviously does not keep the proverb and so the irony is felt. The fool is not quite like the hypocrite who knows that he does not live what he preaches. The fool thinks he is wise. He thinks he truly models the proverb he speaks. He would agree with all the previous proverbs of this chapter, hoping that fools would heed them.

Another reason for the "pain" of hearing a fool speak a proverb is that he invariably misapplies it. He is like the sluggard who delights in quoting Jesus' remark not to worry about tomorrow, or like the greedy person quoting Jesus, "Ask, and it will be given to you." It is such misuse, or abuse, of wise teachings that is painful to hear.

Let us then be careful ourselves when we quote scripture. It is better to have nothing to say than to take God's truth and turn it into a false teaching.