Proverbs 25.16-17
“If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it. Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.”
These two proverbs warn against overdoing good things. The first warns against eating too much of a good thing. Honey tastes sweet, but those who eat too much of it will find that their stomachs can’t keep it down. It will make them sick. This principle is not tied just to honey but also applies to any food. Overeating or over-drinking will sicken rather than energize.
The second addresses interaction with one’s neighbors. It is not the recommendation to have nothing to do with one’s neighbors; rather, it is a matter of overdoing it and, as the common expression goes, “overstaying your welcome.” A person who stays too long does will become a nuisance rather than a friend or a source of help.
While both verses have their applications in eating and social relationships, they apply to everything in life. Too much of virtually any good thing will have negative consequences. Wisdom has the discipline to rightly manage the good things of life.
Here’s a good summary statement: Fire is a good thing, but remember: It can cook your food, and it can also burn your house down.
Proverbs 25.18
“A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.”
This proverb lists three weapons that are intended to wound or kill: “war club, sword, and arrow.” These weapons are compared to someone who gives false witness against a neighbor. In other words, bearing false witness is a weapon people use with the intent to wound or kill. For this reason, lying and bearing false witness is repeatedly condemned throughout Proverbs.
“A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.” (Proverbs 14:5)
“A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.” (Proverbs 14:25)
The truthfulness of someone’s words is critical. You can trust faithful people because they tell you the truth. You cannot trust foolish people because they lie and seek to deceive you.
We desperately need truth-tellers in our world. Everything in our society (work, home, education, government, journalism, ministry) requires faithful people who speak truth and hear truth. And wherever there are false witnesses and lies, great damage is done to relationships, organizations, and society.
Be a truth-teller.
