Just Saying ...

“What the eye doesn’t see, the heart won’t grieve over.”   When was the last time you heard someone use this saying ... or, for that matter, say it yourself?  It’s an expression that implies some sort of cover-up.  It might be comparatively innocent, like disguising bad news from a vulnerable person, or it could be some sinister deception being planned to benefit the speaker and/or the listener.

Talking of sayings, I’ve had one running round in my mind for some days, “as plain as a pikestaff”, and I wondered if I was being prompted to use it in one of these articles.  Now I have the answer, one that combines these two.  I was recently directed to St Luke’s story (Acts 5:1-11) of a man and his wife who sold some property.  They decided, probably with good reason, that part of the money should be for themselves and part should be given to the Apostles for the embryonic church.  Their big mistake was in claiming that the money they handed over was the total proceeds of the sale.  It was as if one had said to the other, “What the eye doesn’t see, the heart won’t grieve over.”

In the case of Ananias and Sapphira, the consequences were dire, but happily this end doesn’t befall everyone who uses those words.  Their problem was that they tried to deceive God and, as Paul told the Galatians, “God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.  The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction.” (Gal. 6:7-8).  But where do we draw the line?  We might not dare deceive God, but what about our friends?  We probably wouldn’t deceive them ... unless maybe in something ‘innocent’, or for a joke.  What about other people?  Do we have scruples about deceiving, say, a shopkeeper by keeping quiet if we’re given too much in change, or our employer by fiddling our expenses?

Jesus taught, “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matt. 5:48).  It’s as plain as a pikestaff: our target is not simply to treat God correctly, or Him and some people.  We should aim for perfection, to be honest with everyone.  We won’t make it, of course; perfection is beyond human achievement.  It should be our aim, however; then at least we can expect forgiveness if we don’t quite make it.  But if we go into a situation with the intention of deceiving the other party, then we’re lost before we begin.

You noticed I used that other saying ... about the pikestaff?  Perhaps you’ve seen one in a museum, or maybe in pictures of the Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London.  The actual staff had to be plain, nice and smooth so as not to discomfort the user.  But just for a moment think of what was on the ‘business end’.  The point turned a plain staff into a spear, which could seriously injure an enemy on impact; and that hook ... no one would want that to twist and tug on his flesh as it’s pulled back by an assailant!  So the saying, like the pike itself, is barbed.  We can see the meaning clearly, but we need also to be aware of the consequences of disregarding it.

Next time you hear those words about unseeing eyes and non-grieving hearts, make sure it’s not from your own mouth!