Fervency

For Thursday, November 1, 2007
Proverbs 26:23

Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel
are fervent lips with an evil heart.

In a way, the glaze hides what is underneath while giving the appearance of revealing its inner makeup. We can see the clay, but the glaze covers over the imperfections and causes the clay to have a shine that it really does not possess of itself. In the same way, we may use our lips to deceive what is underneath. I think now of a friend in seminary who spoke ardently of his faith, but who in truth turned out to be living a double life that was exposed when he married. I have also learned that the ardency by which one speaks has no bearing on that person's spiritual maturity or commitment.

Some speak fervently with the intention of covering up their evil. Others speak fervently merely out of their nature. In both cases, the fervency does not measure the sincerity of their hearts. It is not speech that ultimately reveals the heart. It is the long-term obedience in both speech and action that provide the best test. And that obedience is not a mere performance of duty, but one that bears the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfuless, gentleness, and self-control.

Look at their fruit - the fruit born in them and the fruit of their lives, i.e. the impact on others around them. Fervency is not bad; just don't use it to measure the heart. That is not its purpose.