Remove the dross from the silver,
and the smith has material for a vessel;
remove the wicked from the presence of the king,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Prov. 25:4 - 5
Removing dross is equated with removing wickedness and as one produces material that is worthy of making something honorable, so removing wickedness makes the kingdom that much more honorable. Thus God, the Great King, is removing evil from us. We see Him removing evil from every corner of His kingdom too!
As deputies in God's kingdom we are to participate in this clean up. We participate primarily by subduing the sin and fleshly desires within our own hearts and then by exerting influence on our spheres of influence around us. We see this is done in this chapter by:
- vv. 6 - 7 — Not being proud; not exalting self. Selfishness is the largest source of dross.
- vv. 11 - 12 — Having apt and fitting words.
- Col. 4:6 tells us to make sure that our words are filled with grace and seasoned with salt. Salt is something that adds good flavor to a bland taste or even helps cover the bitter taste. Salt also stops or slows the rot and helps preserve the food. In the same way our speech should give a pleasant flavor to the conversation and stop or slow down the evil, moral rot of society.
- Whatever is of good report and is noble we are to think on—and out of our thinking our words are to flow. This helps extend God's kingdom and removes the dross from society.
- v. 13 — Be trustworthy.
- v. 21 - 22 — Aid those all around us. Be friendly; don't be stingy.
- v. 23 — KJV: "The north wind brings forth rain; and a backbiting tongue, angry looks."
- The north wind drives away rain. Therefore you do your part to drive away and check evil speech. Do not be part of it and do what you can to stop it and let it be known that you will not countenance such evil manners. It may only take a sharp look or a frown to remind a friend that their tongue has veered off into sin. But you much be ready to back up that disapproving look with sharp words if necessary.
- v. 28. Finally, it does little good to drive evil out if your own walls are broken down. Therefore, be self-controlled and guard your heart well, for it is the well-spring of life. Self-control is listed in the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22 - 23) so it is no stretch to say that being self-controlled is really being Spirit-controlled. The surest way to guard your heart and to ensure that your walls are well fortified is to make sure that you are filled with the Spirit and are listening to what He tells you.
