Proverbs 25:26If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.Proverbs Daily is a reader-supported publication. All posts are free, but all donations help spread the message. When you see the word upgrade, you're simply invited to help me make the sacred positively contagious...thank you in advance for becoming a free or paid subscriber.Did you hear that Sesame Street was almost defunded?In early 2025, the Trump administration proposed slashing over $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting—the primary funder of PBS and NPR. Well, good news: Sesame Street is still alive and actually moving…kinda (they will begin airing new episodes on Netflix and stay on PBS simultaneously for those who can’t afford a subscription). Whew. But the issue isn’t just about the show.The deeper issue is this: There are people who don’t value the voices that speak to the vulnerable.Some call it trimming the fat. Others say it's fiscal responsibility. But to me? It's straight-up ‘Bull…’ We’re gonna just call it horse manure (this is an inspirational podcast)And speaking of them Streets of Sesame …One of my favorite Sesame Street segments growing up was the classic: “One of These Things Is Not Like the Other.” You remember that?!It helped kids learn what didn’t belong. A sneaker among dress shoes. A triangle among squares. A monkey at a board meeting (okay, that one’s mine).But…the point? Some things just don’t go together.Proverbs 25:26 uses the same kind of wisdom. It paints a picture of a clean spring or a fresh well—then says, now add pollution and ask yourself does it belong there? Of course not! And that’s what it’s like when a godly person caves to the wicked person.It’s not just disappointing. It’s completely out of place. Like manure in your ice cream. That's right. Horse manure…in your ice cream.Tony Campolo (one of my favorite speakers) once illustrated this. He said,“If you ( like Tony Camp's voice, right, ) If you mix ice cream and horse manure, guess what? It’s not a problem for the manure—But the ice cream? It reeks havoc on the Ice Cream! You can't even call it ice cream anymore.”Some things just don’t blend. They contaminate.This isn’t about judging people. It’s really about protecting the purity of your purpose. You weren’t made to fit in with every flow. In some cases, you were called to stand out—like clean water in a thirsty world.Giving in to wickedness won’t transform the wicked. It’ll only cloud your witness. That’s why discernment matters.You have to be able to say with holy clarity: “One of these things is not like the other.”That includes:* Who you align with* What you tolerate* What you amplify* When you stay silentBecause when good people go quiet in the face of evil, the well gets muddy. And speaking of muddy waters…This very month—July 2025—US House of Representatives went on early vacation right as they were scheduled to vote on releasing the Epstein files. Convenient, huh?Seems like a well-rehearsed strategy: Distract the people. Delay the truth. Hope the next news cycle makes everyone forget.But this is what’s wild: In their mad scramble to deflect, I’m talking about voices that have gone so far as to accuse former President Obama of treason and call for his arrest and prosecution—as if that somehow justifies the big stall to uncover the truth.Let me say it clearly: One of these things is not like the other.You don’t have to be a theologian or a political scientist to recognize when evil’s trying to disguise itself as “business as usual.” Don’t let your discernment be dulled, and don’t ‘give in’ to the wicked.🧭 Bottom Line:Don’t dilute your purpose: Righteousness is clarity—don’t let compromise muddy your waters.🙏🏽 Prayer:Keep me clean, clear, and courageous in these muddy waters.💡 Today’s Challenge:Spot what doesn’t belong. In your habits, your feed, your circle—what’s contaminating your clarity? Now ask: What would it look like to purify that space?About the AuthorFred Lynch is a creative communicator, author, and Christian Hip Hop pioneer. To learn more about Fred and what he’s up to now…click here or you can find him in all the socials by searching the handle: heyfredlynch📱Experience Proverbs Daily by Subscribing!Ready to receive daily wisdom directly on your phone?Go to proverbsdaily.org for the app or just click that Subscribe button right now!Be Wise and Be Well...peace.Thanks for reading Proverbs Daily! This post is public so feel free to share it.
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