Scripture Passage:  “A man that bears false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.  Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.”  Proverbs 25: 18-19

Dear Friends,

     Solomon compared a lying, deceitful person with a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.  A club is anything you can get your hands on at the time and is synonymous with fits of rage.  A sword is a fighting weapon used in close hand to hand combat.  Its use always involves pre-meditation.  A sharp arrow, used with a bow, is a long range weapon.  It is used to inflict harm on an individual without exposing oneself to danger.  It can be used in secret to do dastardly deeds, while keeping the user from being held responsible for his actions.  The victim does not see it coming and has no idea who is responsible.  When you think about a deceitful person, you see how each description of a weapon is accurate.  The perpetrator chooses his weapon according to the damage he wants to cause and whether or not he is willing to take credit for it or not.  Sometimes a deceitful person wants to inflict damage that cannot be traced back to them.  They want to stir the pot, but not get caught with the ladle in their hand.  There is no limit to how low they will stoop to get what they want.  When the damage is done, they stand in the crowd and appear innocent of any wrong doing.  They have fooled everyone except for the ONE who really matters.  HE will have the final say. 

     The final analogy is one of placing confidence in a man that will prove unfaithful in the end.  The greatest hurt that comes to any minister is when someone you had respect for and confidence in proves to be unfaithful and not trustworthy.  Jesus experienced that and so did the Apostle Paul.  Your confidence is rewarded with betrayal.  The effect upon your ministry is comparable to cold water being dashed on a broken tooth.  It leaves you sick at your stomach and your head goes “through the roof.”  It puts everything out of joint with no relief in sight.  The damage is done and the only thing that will fix it will take the skill of The Physician.   If left alone, that tooth will eventually abscess.  If that foot is not put back in joint, the damage will be irreparable.  

     One of my greatest fears is that I would betray the trust of a friend or do something stupid that would tarnish my reputation or cause people to question my integrity.  I know who I am, and what I am capable of.  But I also know to whom I belong and that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  My heart’s desire is to finish well.  I want to hear him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many.  Enter thou in to the joys of your Lord.”  Amen

In Christ,

Pastor Johnny