The Monologue Starts in Verse 8

(Proverbs 26:8 KJV)  As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

This has to be the OT version of a comic strip or a monologue one-liner. 

For those of you who have been spending all your time worrying about politics, the “sling” (4773) mentioned here is not the kind you put your arm in when it is broken.  This was a type of sling-shot used by hunters and soldiers.  It was the kind used by David to kill Goliath.  You have a pocket at the end of long chords.  You put you missile in the pocket and swing the weight, letting go of a chord at the right time to speed the bullet on its way.  They can be accurate and deadly.

But not if you “bind” (6887) the “stone” (68) in the pocket. 

I find myself wondering how I bind my stones in my sling.  One thought comes to me about sharing my gifts.  Think of Jesus and the parable of the talents.  The point Jesus was making was that we were to use the abilities and situations God has given us.  I find that I am much more ready to share the things God is doing with believers than non-believers.  It doesn’t do a lot of good to keep the good news tied up and close. 

How do I overcome this?  One thing I am doing is looking at the cliches I use every day.  When people ask me, “How are you?”  I try to never respond with, “Fine.”  One of my current favorite responses is, “Just short of marvelous, but I am working on it.”  My hope is that it will lead to conversations on why things are marvelous.  Any time I am asked a question using the word “believe” I look for a way to bring in the name of Jesus.  Any time a death is mentioned I want to share the hope of the resurrection.

So?  I have a long way to go.  I find great comfort in the teaching that it is the Holy Spirit that does the actual convicting.  My job is to be faithful.  I can’t convert anyone.  All I can do is be a faithful witness and try to get my stone out of the sling.