Proverbs 24:26 – Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips.

The New English Bible translates, “A straightforward answer is as good as a kiss of friendship.” A kiss in our society signals affection, often, sexual affection. But in many societies a kiss represents allegiance or friendship, with no erotic meaning. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss pretending loyal friendship (Luke 22:47-48). Peter told church members “to greet one another with a kiss of love (I Peter 5:14);” Paul said to “greet one another with a holy kiss (II Corinthians 13:12).” The equivalent gesture in American society for a long time was a handshake. More recently it has become a hug. So, “Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips,” means that honest and straightforward answers show true loyalty and friendship.

Why does this seemingly obvious fact need stating? Many people do not want honest answers and may even interpret them as indications of hostility. When I was a high school mathematics teacher, a member of the central Administration met with our department to ask our opinion of a new approach to teaching. Knowing full well what was expected of us, we nevertheless gave our honest opinion, hearing back later from our school Principal that we had further cemented our reputation as “not team players” “afraid of change,” “negative people” always opposed to new ideas.

One of the dangers powerful people face is subordinates who tell them only what they think their bosses want to hear. Not hearing bad news, or honest evaluations of plans, the bosses then make mistakes and fail. Often in life the bearers of bad news get punished for the bad news, so they don’t deliver it (see II Samuel 18:19-33, I Kings 22:8-28). Even bosses, or friends, fear giving an honest opinion or disappointing news that will disappoint their hearers. In the short run, they get treated as friends. But in reality they have not been loyal, because allowing someone to go on in ignorance, or to continue to play the game of “let’s pretend” with the facts, only brings disappointment and failure.

Solomon, therefore, wants both questioner and respondent to grasp a basic truth: the true and loyal friend, the reliable and useful subordinate, the trustworthy boss, is the one who speaks with straightforward honesty, especially when he knows that what he has to say will not be welcome. He encourages the one who answers to be courageous in his loyalty and to speak the truth. He encourages the one who hears something unpleasant to recall that, “Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips.” Such people he should value highly. They are his friends.

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Dr. Bill Edgar, former chair of the Geneva College Board of Trustees, former Geneva College President and longtime pastor in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA)

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