Proverbs 26 "A Silver Drossed Heart"

It annoys, disappoints, disgusts and angers me when someones actions don't line up with their words.

"Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross" Proverbs 26:23 KJV

I like the visual the KJV translation gives. Imagine an archaeologist sifting through the soil. Suddenly, he sees a sparkling edge of something. He works excitedly, yet painstakingly, wondering all the while what it could be. Maybe a chunk of silver? An age old crown or piece of jewelry? As he carefully brushes away the dirt from the embedded piece, don't you think he'll be just a little disappointed to learn that all he dug up was a piece of  broken pottery covered with fake silver?

This is what a man with fervent lips but an evil heart is like. Just pottery coated with fake silver; evil heart covered with nice words.

"A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbors deceit. Though his speech is charming, do not believe him for seven abominations fill his heart." Proverbs 26:24-25

The seven abominations part made me wonder what they were. Let's take a look at Proverbs 6:16-19.

"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him:

• haughty eyes
• a lying tongue
• hands that shed innocent blood
• a heart that devises wicked schemes
• feet that rush into evil
• a false witness who pours out lies, and
• a man who stirs up dissension among brothers."

I think all can agree, anyone who fits one or more of the above seven is not to be believed or trusted. While someone may speak all the right things he will be known by his deeds. "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart, produces good, and the evil person out of the evil treasure produces evil." Luke 6:45

Test the spirits and you will know the difference. Anyone who does not do what is right, even though he speaks all the right words is nothing more than a piece of potsherd covered in silver dross.


Lord, thank you that You have given me a sound mind to discern good from evil and a healthy body to carry out and walk in Your will. Do not let me speak in falsehood, neither let me dwell in evil doings, revealing a silver drossed heart. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, my Lord and my God. In Jesus' name. Amen