No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil. Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight. A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. Proverbs 12:21-23
Lying: deceitful, falsehood, untruth, sham
Abomination: something disgusting
Lord: God of deity, Yahweh
Truthfully: steadfastness, fidelity, faithfulness, trust
Delight: goodwill, good pleasure
Prudent: a shrewd (in a good sense) or sensible man
Conceals: overwhelms, is full, securely hidden
Heart: knowledge
Fools: stupid fellow, dullard
Foolishness: folly, (from the word "evil", meaning to be perverse)
Lying lips disgust the Eternal, but those who act faithfully delight Him. Proverbs 12:22
(VOICE)The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. Proverbs 12:22
(NIV)Lying lips are extremely disgusting to the Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight. Proverbs 12:22 (AMP)
Smart people keep quiet about what they know, but stupid people advertise their ignorance. Proverbs 12:23 (GNT)A clever man is careful in revealing what he knows, but a fool betrays his incompetence. Proverbs 12:23 (VOICE)Prudent people don’t flaunt their knowledge; talkative fools broadcast their silliness. Proverbs 12:23 (MSG)
As I read these verses, I kept thinking that verse 23 should precede vs 22. If you don't talk a lot, you won't lie. Simple right?
Although that is true. When I looked back at the verses, I realized one very important detail—where the Lord fits, and where I fit.
Vs 22 clearly states that Lying is an abomination to the Lord. Lying is disgusting to God. He abhors it.
vs. 23 shares the impact of talking on those around us. When we talk too much, we get ourselves into trouble.
Vs 22: God directed.
Vs 23: People directed.
If I guard against lying, I will THINK before speaking, and therefore I am more opt to keep my mouth shut!
Lying is deceitful. It damages trust. It causes doubt. And it is disgusting to God!
Too often we try to justify lying. We don't want to hurt someone's feelings, or we want to get out of trouble, or the lie makes us sound "better."
No matter why we want to lie—it's sin. Period. No justification or reason makes lying "ok".
"Smart people keep quiet." (Proverbs 12:22; GNT)
You don't have to tell everything you know. Often, it's better to remain quiet, than to share all the wisdom you have (or think you have). We've all been in situations where someone starts talking, and you soon realize that the person talking has NO knowledge about the subject, yet they can't stop talking — even if it is pure nonsense. Just because you KNOW something, doesn't mean to share that knowledge. Often it's better to be quiet and listen.
We all like communicating. Phones aren't just for talking anymore, now there is texting, emails, Twitter, Facebook, integral, Pinterest..... the list goes on and on. No matter HOW you are communicating, the importance is WHAT you are communicating!
Are my words TRUE? Are they KIND? Are they NECESSARY? Are they BENEFICIAL? Are they PURPOSEFUL?
In order to have my communication truthful and appropriate, my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For when I am fearing and respecting God, I'll want to honor Him in my communication.
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