Proverbs 12:13-14, Reward of Lip and Life!

June 12, Proverbs 12:13-14

Mark 9:38-50; Col. 4:1-6 “Who is a wise man? Let him shew his works with meekness of wisdom” (Jas 3:13).

Reward of Lip and Life!

These two proverbs are on the use or abuse of speech. Words have power, and can either bring curse or cure, shame or fame, grief or glory. Here we are confronted again with the blessing or bane of the tongue. Just as what you do with your hands can be honourable or shameful, so it is with your mouth. “Words and deeds come back to roost” (Kidner). There are times when silence is best, but there are times when it is a betrayal.

1. Bad Man-Glad Man: The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips. To be snared means to be caught in a trap or net, in this case, a trap of one’s own devising (see margin reading). Another word for sin is transgression, whether against an individual (10:19), against a nation or land (Amos 1:3; Pr. 28:24), but also, and mainly, against God (Isa. 58:1). The evil man, by wicked and deceitful words, entangles himself in a snare. His lips are, therefore, sinful lips. We are again reminded of the danger of sinful words that emanate from sinful hearts. Such words ensnare the one who utters them. They stain the lips because they issue from stained hearts. They exert a power for evil over the speaker. Matthew Henry put it, “Many have felt the lash upon their backs for want of a bridle on their tongues.” They miss their mark, but the words become instruments of the speaker’s own downfall (Ps. 35:8). A false witness must tell a second lie to cover the first, and so on, till he is exposed as a liar. In the fall of such a witness we behold the vengeance and righteousness of God. The just shall come out of trouble (v.13b). The just (justified) may indeed fall into troubles and trials, but the Lord delivers from them all. “All the labour of swindlers to dress up their falsehood, to make it look like truth, is Satan’s unwilling homage to the truth of God” (Arnot). Revelation 7:14 will be the testimony of the justified for all Eternity.

2. Sow Sound-Grow Grain: A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his month (v.14a). This mouth is in beautiful contrast to verse 13a. Here are good words that both satisfy the speaker, and strengthen him in his resolve to follow God’s way (Jas. 3:13). When our God is an abiding guest, not just an occasional visitor, the fruit of the mouth is not forced, but flows out of an abundant heart (Ps. 145:10-12; Mal. 3:16-17). The recompense of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him. The word recompense means dealing or benefit. Hand stands for all the actions of life. The dealing of the hands is the reward man receives for his work, whether good or evil. If a man’s words come from a heart that is insincere, they only prove him to be a hypocrite, deserving to be justly condemned. If a man’s lips are dedicated to God, his hands will also be dedicated. He will then be satisfied with good by the fruit of both lip and hand. He shall have the respect of men, and the blessing of God. “Every deed has an immortal life, and returns, either like a raven or a dove, to the person who sent it on its flight. It comes back either croaking with blood on its beak, or cooing with an olive branch in its mouth” (Maclaren).

Thought: “The mouth is the door of mischief – both for entrance and exit.”

Prayer: Lord, for more Christ-like speech and fruit.