He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
Wisdom’s Opposing Counterparts: Harmful
Speech (Part 2): Proverbs 12:21-23
21) There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be
filled with mischief.
22) Lying lips [are]
abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly [are] his delight.
23) A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools
proclaimeth foolishness.
In
this section of our study, we are presented with the second part of Solomon’s
teachings on harmful speech which is the counterpart to a lifestyle that uses
uplifting, truthful, wise speech to help others and glorify the Lord ….
EXPOSITION:
If
you remember in our last study, Solomon began a section of teaching on harmful
speech. In the previous study we saw
that:
1. Those who consistently bear an untrue
testimony for personal gain displays himself as being guilty of fraud and
treachery – vs 17
2. There exists those who are fools whose words
will cut and devour like a sword – vs 18
3. The words of a deceitful tongue will only
last a short period and then, once proven false will become useless. So, too, the speaker of lies will not be
trusted by others but will be ignored due to the unreliable nature of their
speech. - vs 19
4. The root cause of deceptive speech is a
deceptive heart. It is due to a set of
desires that long to take advantage of others that evil plots are borne. Lying speech is many times an integral part
of these evil, fraudulent plans of the wicked. – vs 20
He
now continues the study in verse 21….
21) There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be
filled with mischief.
1. Those who have become new creatures in Christ,
and whose speech is now conformed to the desires of God, can be assured of
lasting security and peace with God and others around them. They can know that
the Lord will bless them with temporal blessings on earth, as well as blessings
throughout eternity, because they have chosen a lifestyle of wisdom and
obedience to the Lord.
2. In contrast, because the speech of fools brings
harm to others (vs 17-20), many times, those who are harmed attempt to
retaliate in like kind. This fills the
fools life with trials and heartaches. Even more importantly, fools cannot expect the
temporal blessings of the Lord due to their rebellious and sinful speech. But of utmost importance, they will face
eternal judgment at the hands of Almighty God as they enter into eternity.
“Therefore let no man glory
in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos,
or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to
come; all are yours; And ye are Christ's; and Christ
[is] God's.” (1 Corinthians 3:21-23)
“Thou art filled with shame
for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the
LORD'S right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing [shall be] on
thy glory.” (Habakkuk 2:16)
22) Lying lips [are]
abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly [are] his delight.
1.
Fraudulent, deceitful speech is disgusting and abhorrent to the Lord.
2.
Those who speak sincere, transparent, honest words find acceptance, favor and
pleasure in God’s sight.
“Because with lies ye have
made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened
the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by
promising him life:” (Ezekiel 13:22)
“But let him that glorieth
glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I [am] the LORD which
exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in
these [things] I delight, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:24)
23) A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools
proclaimeth foolishness.
1. A man who applies the Word to his life will
limit his speech to that which is beneficial to man and pleasing to the
Lord. His vain, sinful, and idle
thoughts he will choose not to reveal because he realizes they will only harm
others while disobeying the Lord.
At
times, he will even choose to withhold his knowledge of the Word of God,
realizing the hearer’s heart has not been prepared to receive it.
2. A man who is a fool, will desires to say
everything that is on his mind, regardless of the end result of his
speech. He will display an attitude of
selfishness, putting his fleshly desire to “speak his mind” over the desires of
God and the needs of those around him.
“Keep thy tongue from evil,
and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do
good; seek peace, and pursue it.”
(Psalms 34:13-14)
“If any man among you seem to be religious,
and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion [is]
vain.” (James 1:26)
SUMMARY:
In
all of the above examples we find one general basic principle… a wise man
learns to control his speech based upon his determination of the following:
1. What will be the future results of my speech?
– vs 21
2. Is my speech truthful ? – vs 22
3. Will my speech meet the needs of others? Will my speech please the Lord? – vs 23
Our
speech will reflect the genuine concerns of our heart. Our speech will reflect our true priorities
of life.
What
does our speech teach us about ourselves?
By
God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value
that they deserve.
May the
Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.
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