He that winks with the eye causes sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall (Proverbs 10:10)
To winks with the eye can mean several things. It can mean that someone is malicious and has evil intentions or someone designs mischief against others or triumph over others, or it can mean that someone closes his eyes, pretending that they don’t see what’s happening. They pretend that everything is all right and at peace, while it’s not.
Closing your eyes for things, that are not right
Many people close their eyes for things, that take place, which are not all right. They see what’s happening, but they pretend they don’t see it in order to keep the so-called peace and harmony.
Many churches have also copied this behaviour. They see the sin in the lives of believers but they refuse to correct them. Instead, they pretend they don’t see it, accept it and cover it under the so-called cloak of love.
It happens quite often, when a leader of a church (preacher, elder, evangelist, prophet, apostle etc.) walks in sin or commits a sin like fornication, adultery, embezzling money etc. they try to keep it silent. They try to keep it silent so that it won’t damage the name and the reputation of the church.
Many churches are more worried about themselves than the Kingdom of God.
They think, that by acting this way and by keeping it silent, they will keep the peace and harmony in the church or congregation. But that is a lie from the pit of hell. If a church winks with the eye and shut her eyes for the sins that are committed, it shall eventually cause a lot of trouble and sorrow.
What happens when the church winks with the eye?
Because first of all, the person, who commits sin, will not be corrected and shall keep walking in sin and shall bring forth the fruit of sin, which is shame and eventually death.
For when you were the servants of sin, you were free from righteousness. What fruit had you then in those things whereof you are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death (Rom 6:20-21)
Secondly, the congregation will be partakers of his sin and will be held accountable, which will eventually cause sorrow for them.
Paul confronted Peter openly with his hypocritical behavior (Gal 2:11-14).
Paul didn’t wink with the eye. He didn’t shut his eyes for the situation and let Peter have his way. No!
Paul confronted him in front of everyone. Eventually, Paul’s correction produced clarity and peace, instead of sorrow.
A prating fool
And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against Thee: Thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble (Ex 15:7)
A prating fool shall fall due to his own foolish words. A fool speaks words, that may seem wise according to the world but are foolishness to God.
A foolish person shall not listen to God’s Word but shall resist God and His Word. He shall rebel and rise up against Him. He thinks he is smart but eventually he will come to ruin. Yes, his own words shall ruin him.
‘Be the salt of the earth’
