Self
Exposure
Every prudent man acts out of
knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly.
Proverbs 13:16
The Vice Unit had set up a false-front
store in order to implement a sting of the neighborhood criminals who
had been pawning stolen goods at many of the local pawn shops;
anything from electronics to SUVs.
They began their sting by purchasing
stolen goods, giving the thieves money in exchange for their
merchandise, delaying their arrest until the sting was complete.
Undercover officers marveled at the
pride of the crooks. Having established a working relationship with
the undercover officers, several criminals began to brag about their
proficiency in stealing cars and told of how they had strong-armed
many of their victims at the end of a gun. They spoke of their
exploits as if they were a badge of honor, never showing remorse for
their actions.
The sting lasted eight weeks, netting
seventy-two arrests—the team took the dangerous criminals off the
streets immediately, but away from their operation, so as not to tip
off the others about the storefront sting—which resulted in
recovery of all the stolen merchandise and the conviction of each
individual arrested.
Behind bars several offenders admitted
that their own bragging had been the weapon used to convict them. Had
they not been so free with their words they might have received
lighter sentences.
†
Proud of their criminal prowess, these
offenders brought the full measure of the legal system upon
themselves because of self exposure. Their crimes alone would have
netted them jail time, yet additional months and years were added to
each sentence because of their lack of remorse while bragging about
their illegal acts.
A wise man speaks occasionally and a
fool doesn’t know when to hold his tongue. Those who speak with
knowledge improve the lives of those around them and enrich
individual relationships. When we speak out of turn we share from a
shallow well, often alienating those around us.
Prayer
“Teach me to posses
something of value before I try to share it, Lord. Help me keep from
becoming foolish in speech and action. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
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