A righteous man who falters before the wicked is like a murky spring and a polluted well. Proverbs 25:26
Many times when the bible speaks about water it is talking about the spoken word. Jesus said that those who believed in Him would be like a well of water springing up to everlasting life. He also said that rivers of living water would flow from our spirits. The bible also talks about the ‘washing of water by the word.’ And the verse before our title verse says, “As cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country.” So water symbolizes the truth of God that is spoken in order to bring spiritual life and refreshing. We as children of God are called to speak the words of this life everywhere we go. But what happens when we faulter before the wicked? Our reservoir of truth becomes like a mirky spring or a polluted well. We no longer are bringing life giving water, but instead water that is disgusting to taste and harmful to the listeners.
What does this all mean? Well, this verse convicts me, because all to often I will refrian from speaking the whole truth because I know that some who are listening take offense at the truth of God’s word. Sometimes I will wrap up truth in a secular blanket and leave God out to avoid discomfort. This is a great evil and I have repented of it and prayed that God will help me in the future.
Many unsaved people take great offense at what God’s word has to say. Especially on issues such as Heaven and Hell, homosexuality, abortion, and the like. But lets speak the truth in love, being guided by the Holy Spirit and not hold back out of fear. When we falter in our words we are not pleasing God and are hindering His life-giving message.
Hal Chaffee 