Burning Lips and a Wicked Heart

From the Pastor: Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.

It is written: “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.” (Prov. 26:20-23)

A church of the Lord Jesus Christ ought to be a precious blessing in the lives of all its members. The fellowship should be the sweetest place on earth, a refuge from the turmoil of the world, a sanctuary of kindness. Sadly, in these days this is the exception and not the rule. Burning lips in the midst have too often turned the sweetness into bitterness, and wicked hearts have poisoned the kindness of the sanctuary. Far too many loving fellowships have suffered and been damaged by these burning lips and wicked hearts. God will not hold them guiltless. These vile emissaries of Satan always give the illusion of doing the service of God, but “by their fruits ye shall know them.”

The Apostle Paul describes them as “wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.” (I Tim. 5:13) The Apostle Peter says they are “a busybody in other men’s matters.” (I Peter 4:15) King Solomon refers to them as fools when he writes: “...but every fool will be meddling.” (Prov. 20:3) He also says, “When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.” (Prov. 26:25-26) These are stern words indeed, yet appropriate in their context. “Tattlers,” “busybodies,” and “fools” are what they are and need to be recognized as God has labeled them. They have burning lips and wicked hearts that strive for destruction.

The Apostle Paul exhorts the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ to “study to be quiet, and to do your own business.” (I Thess. 4:11) If more time were spent on this truth, the churches of the Lord would be much sweeter and kinder places for sanctuary. Church members would find it to be a precious sweetness to enter into its doors and fellowship. Burning lips and wicked hearts are a plague upon the Lord’s churches that constantly require diligent purging.