Proverbs 26:17-22 says,...

Today's verses are Proverbs 26:17-22, which read,

v.17 - Like one who takes a dog by the ears is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.

Solomon is going to give us 4 more "like" proverbs this morning.  I read in my study Bible that dogs during this time were not domesticated so to grab one by the ears would be putting yourself in a dangerous situation.  You most likely would get bit for doing so.  The fool is someone who is asking to get bit for being a busybody, meddling with strife not belonging to him.  We have this proverb again in the New Testament with Paul saying in 2 Thessalonians 3:11,

"For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies."

And again to Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:13, 

"At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention."

And the Apostle Peter chimes in with this in 1 Peter 4:15 and 16,  

"Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name."

There is plenty of Biblical instruction not to stick your nose in where it doesn't belong and that last passage puts in up there with murderers and thieves.  The fool is one who throws in his two cents to something that he has no intention to help solve but rather to stir up the pot of strife a little more while he is passing by.  

Why do we do this?  Do we like to watch people suffer?  Do we get some joy of seeing another struggle while we sit on the sidelines or from the backseat and tell them what they should be doing?  The Bible says to watch out because you are about to get bit by a dog that probably has rabies.  You are going to suffer some consequences for such actions.

v.18-20 - Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows and death, so is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, "Was I not joking?"  For lack of wood the fire goes out and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

The fool tries to divert some of the consequences coming back at him by saying he was just joking.  "Can't you take a joke?" but you know it wasn't a joke.  It was said to hurt and to keep the flame of the fire of strife going instead of bringing a bucket to help put it out.  This is a type of fire that you want to put out.  Around the campfire you add another piece to keep it going for the light and warmth.  This type of fire is destructive and we put another piece on it when we whisper or gossip about the situation.  We prolong the solution from being realized by adding another log of our deception to be helping when we are really not.  

Again, why do we do this?  It shows that we really don't have a love for our neighbor and therefore don't really have a love for God who told us to love our neighbor.  We are adding to his or her strife.

v.21, 22 - Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.  The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

The fool is contentious in his actions.  The fool wants to see that strife not go away.  He continues to whisper to others about it and we listen and take it in and seem to love it like those dainty bite size hors d’oeuvres.  We grab a hand full of them and before the main course comes we are already stuffed and the good lasting meal we can't take in.  We have robbed ourselves what is lasting and good, the main course, to take part in something that is small but plentiful, pleasantly displayed on a silver platter and brought right to you.  Keeping others strife going is like that.  It is presented as something to partake in but it goes further into your body than just what you hear or say.  We say, "This little bite or jab won't hurt," but it does and it makes a difference deep down inside of us.

Again, why do we do this?  Why do we enjoy watching other people squirm under pressure?  Why do we watch and comment instead of come to their aid?  

It is called sin and it is real because we display it with our actions.  We also display with our actions a need for a Savior who instructs us to live just the opposite for the glory of Him.  If we are not, then we need to question our relationship with Him as truly our Savior.  We need to question what kind of relationship do I have if I am not surrendering to His words and ways.  Is it a saving relationship after all or is it just a knowing relationship?  Let us be people who help put out the flame of strife while we add to the flame of God's glory.  Let us pray.

"Lord, the Proverbs help us to see our sin.  We say things we shouldn't say.  We are a hinderance when we should be a help.  We probe instead of pray.  We whisper about others when we should be walking alongside of them.  May we see the destruction this is doing to them and to us for we are not above Your consequences.  Amen."

Pastor Adam