Proverbs 26:23-26 Masters of disguise

²³ Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
    are fervent lips with an evil heart.
²⁴ Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,
    but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
²⁵ Though their speech is charming, do not believe them,
    for seven abominations fill their hearts.
²⁶ Their malice may be concealed by deception,
    but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Seems like just yesterday the Halloween candy and costumes were starting to be displayed in the stores. (Now the Christmas decor is featured -- I always wonder what happens to Thanksgiving. Sorry, I'm digressing here.) As I walked through a discount store, I chuckled to hear a youngster exclaiming over a costume, and how cool it would be . . . no one would recognize him in his disguise!

Solomon is talking here about some other people who use disguises. People that we need to be wary of. Masters of disguise, and masters of deception. And that makes them able to inflict a world of hurt on us, if we are not careful.

We have examples of these people in the scriptures. 
Joab, the commander of David's armies, greeted his relative Amasa cordially, even acting like he was going to kiss him in greeting (as was the custom). Amasa didn't realize there was a weapon in Joab's other hand, and Joab thrust him through with his sword, and killed him. 
Judas betrayed Christ with a kiss, as well, turning him over to the authorities by that mark of affection.
Hatred and spite, even a murderous spirit -- all disguised very well.

Solomon notes that their deception is just like a coating of silver dross (the impurities from the refining process, it is still shiny) on an earthenware vessel. It looks good on the outside, but it really is not valuable, like true friendship. He tells us to be careful of the charming speech that may hide hatred and spite.

The person who has contempt for us, who despises us, will make the greatest noise about how wonderful we are, but talk down about us, behind our back. Beware of someone whose words and actions just don't add up --- do they talk a lot about being our friend, but have little desire to spend time with us? Do they make a show of talking about how fortunate we are, and then act jealous because of those blessings? Do they seem to do things that seem a little off kilter, almost betrayal, then brag to us about how they "have our back"? 

Be cautious of those who seem overly affectionate and effusive with their compliments and approval. If it seems exaggerated, be careful. Use that wisdom from the Lord to discern if they are truly friendly to you, or if it is a deception. Your caution may help you avoid being hurt by a master of disguise.

Proverbs 26:18-19 But I was joking!

¹⁸ Like a maniac shooting
    flaming arrows of death
¹⁹ is one who deceives their neighbor
    and says, “I was only joking!”

Can't you take a joke?

Have these words been directed at you before? Or, have you said that to someone?

We need to be careful! There is a fine line between what we call joking, and what is called "jesting."  Jesting is making sport of someone else --- making others laugh at this person's expense --- mocking them, or joking about the situation they find themselves in . . . anybody besides me getting uncomfortable here? It's not that I do these things, but if I'm in a group setting and this is happening, what is my response? Do I try to stop the behavior before it hurts someone, or am I a passive spectator?

I believe that as Christians, we need to defuse situations like this, by turning the conversation to another topic, or even trying to kindly remind the speaker that those words may be quite hurtful. Jesting is even compared to sins like sexual impurity, jealousy and other immoralities. (Just check out Ephesians 5:3-4)

We hear a great deal these days in the news about children and teens who bully one another. Bullying usually begins with a joke or jest at someone's expense, then goes further.  I think this proverb is talking about pranks and practical jokes, too. Those are not good ideas! You can never be sure what your "victim" is thinking. What have they been going through? What are they thinking? Have they recently been hit with a heavy burden? Are they in pain from a family matter, or some other weight that has them depressed? A practical joke can backfire and cause a world of trouble . . . and then the jokester says, "I was only joking!"

Solomon tells us that if we are jesting and deceiving someone, we are just like that insane person who lights a flaming arrow and shoots it into a barn, and then when caught, says, "I was just having some fun with you! Can't you take a joke?"
Let's determine that not only will we avoid shooting the flaming arrows, but that we will be ready to douse the flames, if someone else is doing the shooting!