Thou Shall Not...Wink, Wink

(Proverbs 10:10 KJV)  He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.

Some pictures carry through culture.  “Winks” (7169) still carry the idea of deception.  Sometimes it is clear and is meant as humor.  Sometimes it is done secretively and is meant to cover a deception.  Some times it means to ignore a problem.  All can cause “trouble” (6094).

Ignoring the problem is what jumps out at me today.  I just had a long discussion with a man who volunteers a lot of time and money at my school and across our district.  He runs a game room and gets almost immediate compliance with his rules and expectations.  One of the differences is that he can throw a kid out if they do not comply.  They do not have to be there and they know it.  On the other hand, the kids I work with in class know that I have to let them in and document everything if I kick them out.  We agree that the difference is follow through.  In his case the kids know he means what he says.  In my case the kids know I am limited and will not be backed up by my superiors. 

The point is that society and families need people who will establish a standard and stick with it.  We have too many people who talk big and wink at violations.  We see it every day in traffic, in government, at work. 

This standard of behavior has influenced our thinking as believers.  We think that God will wink at our disobedience or lack of discipline.  We confuse patience with lack of standards.  We think that grace will cover willful rebellion.  We forget that God will not be mocked and does not play games.  He knows our hearts.  We can dissemble with our friends, but God knows exactly what is going on in our mind.

So?  Don’t play games with God.  He is patient.  He will forgive.  He is merciful.  Grace means gift.  At the same time He is holy and righteous.  This is why Proverbs talks about the fear of the Lord so much.  Stop winking and develop a healthy fear.