He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
Wisdom’s Opposing Counterparts: Harmful
Speech (Part 1): Proverbs 12:17-20
17) [He that] speaketh truth
sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
18) There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the
tongue of the wise [is] health.
19) The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue
[is] but for a moment.
20) Deceit [is] in the heart
of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace [is] joy.
In
this section of our study, we are presented with harmful speech which is the counterpart
to a lifestyle that uses uplifting, truthful, wise speech to help others and
glorify the Lord ….
EXPOSITION:
17) [He that] speaketh truth
sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
1. The wise display honest and sincere speech
which presents their lifestyle as being one of submission to the Lord and alignment
with His laws.
2. Those who consistently bear an untrue
testimony for personal gain displays himself as being guilty of fraud and
treachery
“A true witness delivereth
souls: but a deceitful [witness] speaketh lies.” (Proverbs 14:25)
18) There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the
tongue of the wise [is] health.
1. There exists those whose words will cut and
devour like a sword
2. There are also those whose speech brings
strength and healing to those who are frail and sick.
“Thy tongue deviseth
mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more than
good; [and] lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.” (Psalms 52:2-3)
19) The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue
[is] but for a moment.
1. When honest, sincere truth (especially the
truths of the Word) since truthful have a sure foundation so that it will not
be defeated nor proven false. Also, the
one speaking will be respected and trusted due to the reliability of his words.
2. 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.
“Heaven and earth shall
pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)
“That the triumphing of the
wicked [is] short, and the joy of the hypocrite [but] for a moment? Though his excellency
mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; [Yet] he shall perish for
ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where [is] he?” (Job 20:5-7)
20) Deceit [is] in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace [is] joy.
1. 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.
2. For those who bring peace and harmony to
their hearers by sharing spiritually uplifting and beneficial counsel will
possess great joy. This joy will come
knowing that they are faithfully serving the Lord by helping others through their
words.
“He that hateth dissembleth
with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven
abominations in his heart. [Whose] hatred is covered by
deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the [whole] congregation.” (Proverbs 26:24-26)
“Finally, [be ye] all of one mind, having
compassion one of another, love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be] courteous: Not rendering evil for
evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are
thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love
life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips
that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and
do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are
open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do
evil. And who [is] he that will
harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?” (1 Peter 3:8-13)
SUMMARY:
Our
speech is a wonderful indicator of the spiritual condition of our heart. Do we love the Lord and desire to obey
Him? If so our speech will be uplifting,
sharing the Word of the Lord, seeking to meet the needs of others. This is a direct result of seeking to love
the Lord with all our hearts and others as if they were ourselves.
Do
we live our lives selfishly? If this is
the case our speech will be spoken to mislead and take advantage of
others. It will be spoken from a heart
that only cares about how our speech will affect ourselves with little or no
concern for its affects on others.
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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