PROFITING FROM PROVERBS

“A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue” (Proverbs 17:4).

When we hear another repeat some slanderous thing, they have heard about another person we are often shocked to discover that the only justification for believing it is that the hearer wanted to believe it. A thing does not have to be true to be believed in today’s society, it only has to seem like it “could” be true. Sadly, it is easier for some to believe lies than not.

What is the reason for this? The lives of some people are so commendable that the only way that others can feel better about themselves is to sully the former’s reputation—so they spread the vilest of rumors as though they were true. Our text identifies these as wicked. If we permit ourselves to listen to these fanciful allegations, are we any better?

Solomon has much to say about this in the Book of Proverbs:

“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19).

“The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh forwardness” (Proverbs 10:31-32).

“The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble . . . Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight” (Proverbs 12:13, 22).

“A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul” (Proverbs 18:6-7).

So, in our text for today, the more condemnation isn’t upon the speaker of these things, but rather upon him that would listen to such things.

This condemnation can be carried further. Much of what we call music in our society is nothing more than wicked speech set to melody. Do we listen to this and allow it to dirty our brains over and over again with its underlying message? Country music is notorious with its lyrics about adultery, alcohol abuse, and on and on. Some music is so bad that it even has “Parental Advisory” notices on it to warn us. No one should listen to that trash, not even parents.

The Motion Picture Industry is no better. It is difficult to see even a children’s movie without seeing a warning that it is unsafe for kids under 13! Cinematic themes are crime, murder, sexual deviancy, witchcraft, demonic activity, etc., etc., etc. Do we pay our money to go in and see these things? Do we sit down and listen to God’s Word being preached and taught for a couple of hours on Sunday morning and then spend the rest of our week listening and repeating the trash of this wicked, evil world?

Daily Bible study is necessary if we are going to begin our day with the right attitude and the right spiritual diet. Proverbs has 31 chapters, and most months have 31 days, so let's read a chapter of Proverbs a day and see what God might have for us. As the Lord leads, share with us what God has shown you in a special way and by His grace let us build up a devotional repository. Let's keep our knives and forks handy for some daily bread! Ideally, a chapter or two of Proverbs will fit in nicely with a good plan of reading our Bibles through each year.

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