Actions, Words

(Encouraged reading: Proverbs 12)

v. 1-5, 7-12, 20-21, 23-28 Actions

     “What is the care and aim of a good man: His root yields fruit, and is his strength and stability, and that is it that he desires, to do good and to be fixed and confirmed in doing good. The wicked desires only a net wherewith to fish for himself; the righteous desires to yield fruit for the benefit of others and God's glory, Rom. 14:6.”*

     The righteous seek to do good for others. The wicked only care for themselves. With selfishness comes a bent towards laziness, but this chapter warns that the lazy will be forced to work.

v. 6, 13-19, 22 Words

“Here are words that are cutting and killing, that are like the piercings of a sword. Opprobrious words grieve the spirits of those to whom they are spoken and cut them to the heart. Slanders, like a sword, wound the reputation of those of whom they are uttered, and perhaps incurably. Whisperings and evil surmises, like a sword, divide and cut asunder the bounds of love and friendship, and separate those that have been dearest to each other.”*

      The wicked speak in all manners of lies, hatred, and violence. They cut people down and dodge the truth. The righteous value truth, and it preserves them. The mouth of the wicked is likened to a sword, something made for war, something made to slaughter and kill. The righteous man’s mouth is said to promote health, to heal, strengthen, and to be a source of life. The contrast is as life and death.

Application:

     Have you noticed the effect actions and words have on people? Your actions and words to others, their actions and words to you; we impact one another! Take time to assess what you do and say, choose to live for God and speak life-giving words.  

Prayer:

     Lord, help us to curb our tongue and be aware of our actions. May we be slow to speak, be wise in our decisions, and honor You in all we do. Remind us to know the state of our heart and mouth, for from that our actions flow.

Related topics on previous AQR posts: gossiping (7/31) & bullying (9/11). If you haven’t already read them, go back and check them out.

*Matthew Henry commentary