Proverbs 12:21-23 Honor in Communication

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. 

Proverbs 8:6-9: Lying. Is it a big deal?

Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, and from the opening of my lips will come right things; For my mouth will speak truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them. They are all plain to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Proverbs 8:6-9

Excellent things: princely things—as from a commander or honorable position; excellent things

Right things: in ethical sense, uprightness, as taught in the school of wisdom

Truth: trustworthiness, faithful,

Wickedness: wrong (especially moral)

Abomination: something disgusting (morally)

Righteousness: the right (natural, moral or legal), accurate

Nothing: does not exist

Crooked: fraudulent, anything tortuous (not direct or straightforward), deceitfully indirect

Perverse: distorted, false

Plain: straightforward, correct, integrity, right, uprightness

Understands: diligently, discerns

Right: straightforward, just upright

Find: thing sought, acquire

Knowledge: discernment, understanding, wisdom

Lying. 

Is it really something to ignore? Or is it a big deal? 

Is there such a thing as a "white lie"?

It is ok to lie so you don't hurt a person's feelings?

Is it EVER ok to lie?

Are there circumstances that warrant lying? 

What is a lie? 

Dictionary.com:

a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; anintentional untruth; a falsehood.to speak falsely or utter untruth knowingly, as with intent to deceive; convey a false impression

What does lying do? 

First off, it lays a foundation for mistrust. How can one be trusted if they lie? 

Second, it makes one question everything said thereafter. If you lied once, are you lying now? 

And lastly,  it starts a snowball effect. For when you lie once, you must maintain the lie, and that leads to additional lies. 

Justification for lying? 

Is there such a thing? Well, it's so we don't hurt someone's feelings. REALLY? Tell a lie, so that person can't trust us later? That justifies lying? 

If I tell the truth, the person won't like me? Again, REALLY? A person would like you if you lied, but not if you told the truth. And if that person won't like you if you told the truth, what does it say about that person? Is that really someone you want to like you? Someone whose relationship is based on mistrust and lying? Yeah, that's a great foundation for friendship—NOT! 

Lying. It is a big deal. It is not something to ignore. 

Wisdom does not lie. Wisdom is to be trusted. Wisdom doesn't try to flatter or smooth talk her way around issues. Wisdom is straightforward and honest! 

Perhaps if we all had hearts that were permeated with a deep sense of reverence (fear) for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), there would be a lot less lying and more honesty.

Lying is a big deal, because it is sin. That's it, period. No white lies, not justification, call it what it is—SIN. And that is a big deal to God. And if you want to live in accordance with His wisdom, lying will be a big deal to you too.

Proverbs 6:30-35: NO MATTER the reason!

People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving. Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold; he may have to give up all the substance of his house.

Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does so destroys his own soul. Wounds and dishonor he will get, and his reproach will not be wiped away. For jealousy is a husband’s fury; therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will accept no recompense, nor will he be appeased though you give many gifts. Proverbs 6:30-35

Actions have consequences—NO MATTER the reason! 

We justify all types of actions. We blame our past, or our ancestor's past, or our 'denied future'. We blame our circumstances. Our location. Our ........ we are great with making excuses that will justify any action. 

HOWEVER!

No amount of justification can ignore the fact when the action is simply WRONG. Sin is sin PERIOD! 

Notice Proverbs 6:30. We are not to despise, (to disrespect, regard with disdain, scorn, or contempt) the one who steals because he is hungry. However, we don't ignore the fact that he stole either. He has to repay 7 x even if it means he loses all he own. There are consequences to our actions! 

Proverbs 6:32

Lacks understanding: void of a comprehending mind, actually "destitute of mind". 

Some actions leave us shaking our heads as we say, "What were you thinking?" Adultery is one. Why would a woman and man destroy their marriage and home, and their own lives to take part in such sin? Often they think they can do it in secret. However, the consequences of the sin are destroying their own life! 

Actions have consequences—NO MATTER the reason!

Often we like to categorize sin. We like to think of "little sins" and "big sins". If we commit "little sins" (maybe a 'white lie') that's OK. Yet a "big sin", say like MURDER—that's just WRONG! We forget that we are not the ones who determine what sin is. God is a holy God and to Him —SIN IS SIN! There are no "white lies", there are not categories for sin. That is why there are consequences for sin—no matter the reason! 

Thankfully, God has made a way that we can be forgiven of our sin. 

If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Confess: to admit or declare oneself guilty of what one is accused of

Cleanse: to free from the guilt of sin, to purify

Actions have consequences—NO MATTER the reason! And if I want to make sure that my actions are wise —I must have a heart that is permeated with a deeps sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG).