Proverbs 10:11-15

 

Prov 10:11 (KJB)

The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

 

A Well - Fountain

Covereth - Conceals

 

This verse teaches the difference between the saved and unsaved person. The saved person is a well or fountain of life. First, the saved person brings the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to others and the gospel is the one which brings life eternal to those whom God saves. Secondly, the saved person uses wisdom in their walk in this world. Not only do they use wisdom for spiritual things but also in secular things, applying the wisdom of God to daily living. On the contrary, the unsaved person is filled with violence. Violence is one outgrowth of the unsaved heart. The wicked, or unsaved, are covered with violence and because they are covered with violence, not only are their words violent, but their acts and the results of those acts are total evil. The wicked never makes friends unless they believe it will prosper them in some manner and then when they get what they want, they dissolve the friendships. The unsaved care nothing for spiritual things.

 

Prov 10:12 (KJB)

Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

 

If there is one thing for sure it is hatred which stirs up the negative emotions in a person’s heart. The method could be gossip or false witness against someone. Hatred is the catalyst for the violent acts which are done against people in this world. On the other hand, love covers or conceals the sins of others. In other words, when someone is walking with the Lord, they will not bring up the sins of others so as to incite evil acts against someone, whether it be by them or someone else. (1 Cor 13:4-6 KJV) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, {5} Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; {6} Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 teaches that those who walk in true love will never hold things against anyone else. They are in a forgiving mode to those who offend them.

 

Prov 10:13 (KJB)

In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

 

Understanding - Discerning

 

Those who have become saved walk in this world with much discernment and are always on the lookout for any snares. These people study the Scriptures and recognize their limitations and will not tempt themselves beyond it. Wisdom is found with those who are saved, it is part of the inheritance of the true believer. Those who lack understanding will continually get themselves in trouble and because they get caught, they will be subject to punishment. (Psa 89:31-32 KJV) If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; {32} Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. The ones who are void of understanding are the ones who are unsaved not realizing that that their law breaking is only a symptom of a deeper problem and that is they have an unsaved, sin filled heart which must be dealt with. If they do not become saved, they will face a much more fierce punishment in hell for eternity.

 

Prov 10:14 (KJB)

Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

 

Lay up - Stores up

Near - Imminent

 

Wise men continue to store up knowledge, that is, they continue to study the Scriptures, not just on a need to know basis, but they make the study of the Scriptures part of their daily life and as they learn, even though they do not use what they have learned right away, it is stored and the time will come when they will need to pull from what they have learned and they will be prepared to face that certain situation. The foolish, or unsaved man, does not seek the knowledge of the Scriptures and that is why they are always in imminent danger of destruction. They are one heartbeat away from total destruction in hell and you cannot be any nearer than that.

 

Prov 10:15 (KJB)

The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

 

The rich man is able to survive the ravages of a bad economy and the very things which threaten the existence of the poor may be avoided by having wealth. Just as a city is fortified in ancient days with high and thick walls, so the wealth of the rich can insulate them from the things which threaten the poor. If a poor person loses their job, they do not have any wealth to back them up, whereas the rich man does. If a poor person becomes sick, they may not have the money for a physician whereas the rich man has the funds to hire the very best. However, there is a down side to this in that the rich man begins to start seeing his riches as his security, not realizing that his wealth is also tied to this world and can be diminished. If they place their confidence in earthly riches, there will come a day when the riches will fail. That day will be when they die, for no amount of money can stop the day appointed for each of us to die. (James 5:1-2 KJV) Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. {2} Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Let us look for a moment at a rich man who will be able to trust a strong city in time of trouble. (2 Cor 4:7 KJV) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. The truly saved person is described as heaving this treasure in earthly vessels and that treasure which will never fade is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Isa 26:1 KJV) In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.

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