Proverbs 10:19-21, A World of Words!

April 28, Proverbs 10:19-21

James 1:26; 3 “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” (Ps. 141:3).

A World of Words!

“Most of man’s sins are in his words” (Manton). How much grief and guilt we would be saved if we were more frugal in their use. We need to heed Solomon’s advice (Eccl. 3:7). The next three proverbs are on the use or misuse of the tongue.

1. A Tale of The Tongues: a. Babbling tongues want not (ceases not to) sin, but bridled (restrained) tongues are wise, prudent (v.19). Babbling words act like a canker on the soul (2 Tm. 2:16-17). Their beginning (Pr. 9:10) is folly and their end, madness (Eccl. 10:13-14). A bridled or governed tongue is a true test of the soundness of our heart before God. b. Here is the precious tongue (v.20) of the just versus the polluted heart of the wicked (v.20). Note that Solomon here contrasts the tongue with the heart to attest, as Jesus later did, that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh (Matt. 12:34). The precious tongue of the just man is as choice silver enriching all who hear it, but the polluted heart and mouth is of little worth or value, to the wicked himself or anyone else. c. Finally, there are the lips that sustain multitudes contrasted with those that only slay. The first are faithful lips that feed many, and the other are lips of fools that die for want of wisdom (idiom: lack of heart, v.21). Again, the contrast is between tongue and heart! Do not believe the lie that a man’s heart maybe good even though his actions are immoral and evil. The fool dies for want of wisdom, or for want of heart to seek it. The righteous man is the godly who has rich stores of wisdom, and thus he feeds many. The wicked man cannot feed others when he himself is dying of starvation!

2. A Test of The Tongues: James deals with a subject that is in everybody’s mouth, the tongue. In his Epistle he reminds us of the tongue’s power for Good or Ill. a. Tongues that Guide Life. In v.3 he refers to the horse, though so large, yet a small bit in its mouth turns it about, and great ships are guided through seas by a very small helm. So the tongue, though a little member, boasts great things for itself. In vs.1-2 many want to be teachers, perhaps from arrogance or pride, forgetting that they will be liable for what they teach. Only one who does not offend in word is perfect and able to bridle the tongue, but where is such to be found? Spiritual maturity requires a spirit-guided tongue to be a safe guide for others. b. Tongues that Harm Life. In vs.5-8 it is like a fire burning all before it, a world of iniquity defiling the whole body, and it has its source in hell! Man has tamed every kind of beast and bird, but this tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison! Like a serpent, the tongue is loaded with the venom of hate and death. c. Tongues that Bless Life. Man’s unbridled tongue emits both praises and curses, but to come from the same mouth is sinful. The point is clear: a believer’s tongue should not be an instrument of sin but of blessing. Small but mighty, the tongue must be cleansed continually, and that God can and does make it an instrument of blessing (v.9, Ps. 103).

Thought: “It is bad to think ill, but it is worse to speak it” (Henry). 

Prayer: “I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue” (Ps. 39:1).