Proverbs 26:26
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Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
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Wicked men get into most churches. It is a terrible evil, but it happens. Though filled with arrogance, hatred, and selfishness, they creep into churches with false professions of religion. Even the world knows this fact, for many reject Christianity for its hypocrisy. But though they cover their hatred by lies, their evil souls will be revealed to the church.
This proverb has a rare context to help its interpretation. Solomon has been describing the dangerous evil of talebearers (26:20-23). These wicked persons love to spread harmful facts, rumors, tales, and insinuations about others. They damage others deeply, and they cause contention and strife among the members of a church. They do not know the way of peace themselves, and they keep a church from finding full peace and rest.
They play the hypocrite with their mouths by claiming to be Christians, while their hearts plan games of pretence and revenge (26:24). Wise men do not believe their fair words, for they know many abominations are in their hearts (26:25). Wisdom is the power of right judgment, the ability to discern and know things that deceive most other people.
What identifies these wicked imposters that creep into churches? They speak derogatorily about others and spread either harmful facts or slanderous innuendos (26:20-25). All you have to do is listen to their speech about others, and you can discover these wicked men. They cannot keep from criticizing others and sowing discord by spreading negative information. They are backbiters, slanderers, talebearers, and whisperers.
The Bible is very plain that hatred toward others proves a man to be a child of the devil, not of God (I John 2:9,11; 3:10,15; 4:8,20). When you detect the critical, hateful, and snide spirit of some toward others, you have likely found a child of the devil.
But though they lie and pretend to be loving Christians, God promised to expose them in His churches to save His true saints from their evil influence and painful effects. David begged God to save his kingdom from strange children - hypocrites that he knew were using vain speech and false handshakes to pretend they were religious (Ps 144:7-11). The benefits are great that accrue to a church getting rid of such men (Ps 144:12-15)!
Paul told the Corinthian church that God would send heresies into His churches to discover these lying frauds and confirm the identity of His true children (I Cor 11:19). So while heresies are a painful matter to deal with in a church, they are often used to expose the lying hypocrites that cause dissension and strife. The end result is well worth the pain.
What can you do to help your church? Never speak negatively about anyone! If you cannot say something kind or commending, say nothing at all. Make it your goal to promote the reputations of all men, even your personal enemies. This is true Christianity.
What can you do to help your church? When you hear anyone else criticizing, backbiting, gossiping, or slandering others, crush them with an angry face or warning rebuke (25:23; Ps 101:5; I Thess 5:14). This duty includes a wife toward a profane and wicked husband, as long as she is respectful. God hates these sinners, and so should you (6:16-19).
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