January 17

Jan 17- Today from Proverbs 17 we look at verse 7

"Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool - how much worse lying lips to a ruler." (NIV)
"Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince." (RSV)
"Excellent speech becometh not a fool; much less do lying lips, a prince." (KJV)
"Truth from a rebel or lies from a king are both unexpected." (TLB)

I don't understand why the NIV chose to use the word 'arrogant' in this passage. Arrogance is self-importance, which to me IS suited to a fool. In this particular passage, the KJV is most loyal to the original language. I think The Living Bible has caught the implication of this verse by use of the word 'unexpected'. Every once in awhile a foolish-type person may come up with a gem of a thought and give proper expression to it. But it is unexpected because it is not in character with a self-absorbed person. As unexpected as this may be - it is even more unexpected that a ruler would lie to his/her subjects. I don't think the author is referring to a tyrannical self-imposed ruler, as they will do most anything to hold and/or increase their power base. I think the author is referring to a ruler of integrity; one who leads his/her subjects because they have gained the trust of the people. Trust is an amazing paradox of life. On one hand it is so incredibly strong it can hold a nation together in even the toughest of times. On the other hand, it is so fragile that a mere single action or word can destroy it in an instant. A wise leader knows this, and a wise leader knows it is better to quickly confess a mistake to their subjects than to try to cover it up with lies. They may be able to cover it for awhile, but truth is eternal, and is always waiting to expose the lie. Once exposed, the trust is broken and a lifetime of work can be destroyed in an instant.
People don't expect trusted leaders to be deceitful, and that is what an intentional lie is. People can expect that leaders are not perfect, and are subject to make mistakes - even big ones. But they do not expect their leaders to lie to them. Children do not expect their parents to lie to them. Trusted employees do not expect their employers to lie to them. Parishioners do not expect their Pastors or Priests to lie to them. Citizens do not expect their President to lie to them. When trust is broken, there no longer remains a foundation on which relationships can be maintained - much less built. Much can be forgiven in any relationship, but a lie is devastating - and it takes patient dedication and a long time, perhaps years, to restore trust. Trust is something you cannot demand of another. It is earned and is one of the most valuable assets one can have in any relationship. Treat it as such and you will be an effective leader in whatever endeavor God has called you to in life.
Now if you happen to be a fool, people don't expect much of you anyway. You can just continue on in your self-absorbed, self-serving ways and you will never have to worry about the responsibility of being a leader. Some people are like that. They are called lonely. They may be surrounded by people - but they are still lonely. We were created to be involved in relationships, and true relationships are built upon trust.