The donkey in the Lion's skin

Aesop, the ancient storyteller, told this remarkable fable: 

"Once upon a time, a donkey found a lion's skin. He tried it on, strutted around, and frightened many animals with his new appearance. Soon a fox came along, and the donkey tried to scare him, too. But the fox, hearing the donkey's voice, said, "If you want to terrify me, you'll have to disguise your bray." 

Aesop's moral: Clothes may disguise a fool, but his words will give him away.

This fable still finds value in today's context. How many times do our politicians try to disguise themselves with titles, propaganda and staged photoshoots, but in the end, their words still give them away?

"Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions." - Proverbs 18: 2

"The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives." - Proverbs 18:7

This challenge is not just for the politicians of this world, it is also for ourselves. We may think that by putting on airs of respectability we may win a few supporters, but it is our words that give prudence to our true characters. 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

When anger leads to foolish decisions

In these present times it is hard not to let anger win out. Most of us are living on edge and the slightest provocation can send us spinning off on a tangent. I was reminded again this week, while reading through the book of Esther, that when the “ego” of a person is pricked, it can lead to all kinds of consequences - one of them is anger!

Pietro Aletino (1492 – 1557) wrote that “angry people are blind and foolish.” This is so true. Our anger can blind us to the other people around us and often brings about a fracture in relationships. It is no wonder that Paul said:  “In your anger do not sin” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Ephesians 4:26-27). 

Paul understood that when we get angry we are skating on thin ice. We can easily become the victims of our own folly, and so can those who come across our path. 

Question: Have you ever had an angry moment where your decisions have not been the wisest? 

Living in Grace

D3LM3