“Watch the door of my lips” ― Psalm 141
Image courtesy of https://unsplash.com/@sergio_rola
If your mate, closest
companion or family member was asked to give you marks out of ten regarding the
quality of trust, what would they give you; ten being the highest? Ask someone
who is not given to flattery and who is trustworthy by reputation. Would you be
disappointed? It is a valuable wake-up call that should be treasured and taken
seriously. “Watch the door of my lips” the wise man prays in Psalm 141.
Of all the words for “betrayal” in the world’s languages, the Japanese Uraguri (裏切り)
literally “cutting from behind", are the most expressive.
There are always ones out there who will cut you from behind: the workplace, family and false friends and even those who claim a religious affiliation but prove false to its power. I believe the pain comes from the injustice of not being present to defend oneself. The hurt also arises when you trust someone enough to reveal some feelings and find out later that they have spread your confidential information and embellished the story. We shouldn’t have to say “please do not tell anyone” to consider it confidential. Privacy goes without saying. There are people in my past that have never come to know me and that’s because I am cautious and never open up to them because they have proved untrustworthy. It’s a pity. I believe we are on this earth to love our neighbour and betrayal is a violation of that principle of being human.
The Psalmist in Psalm 41 had much to say in this regard.
My enemies say with malice:
“When will he die and be forgotten?”
My visitor speaks falsehood;
he gathers slander in his heart;
he goes out and spreads it abroad.
All who hate me whisper against me;
they imagine the worst for me:
“A vile disease has been poured into him;
he will never get up from where he lies!”
Psalm 41: 5-8 (BSB).
Consider this, the person who gains the trust of others has crossed over to a level of maturity that gains the respect of others, and by extension, gains considerable self-respect and dignity.
Writing: © 2024 Jim McCrory