Proverbs 12:16-20

 

Prov 12:16 (KJB)

A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

 

Prudent - Clever, crafty, or shrewd

Covereth - Conceal

 

A fool is one who allows himself to display his hostility by doing it publicly. You can always tell a fool because they have no restraint when they become angry as they become loud, unruly, and they tend to throw accusations at people or call them names. The fool shows absolutely no discretion in any matter. They always think they are right and see themselves as being justified in whatever they do. These people normally have an IQ of 6 and it goes down after they wake up in the morning. On the other hand, the prudent or clever man does not allow any of his problems to be aired. He will go privately to the one he may have wronged and talk to them because the whole world need not know their business. By keeping situations private, that will also eliminate a multitude of sins. The gossips will get hold of the situation and by the time they get done with it, there will be 10,000 embellishments and lies surrounding the event. It helps prevent others from sinning with the tongue.

 

Prov 12:17 (KJB)

He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

 

Here is another verse which reveals the heart of a person. The one who is regenerated will speak the truth and that reveals that he is a righteous person. This person’s testimony will be believed because of their character. One who speaks lies will be known to be a person of deceitful character. This person will undoubtedly be unsaved in their heart and that is why lies emanate from him so freely.

 

Prov 12:18 (KJB)

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

 

Speaketh - Speak rashly or thoughtlessly

Piercings - Stab or wounds

 

(Prov 18:21 KJV) Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. I think many of us are guilty of speaking, in fact, all of us are, thoughtlessly. Even after we are saved we may say things which are like the stabbings of a sword. However, the difference is that the saved do not speak like this out of habit. The unsaved tend to speak with the ferocity of a sword piercing the body. The tongue has the power to build up or to tear down and those who use it ruthlessly normally devastate the person they are speaking with. These people never seem to bring anything which can build a person up and always seem to be negative. The tongue of the wise, the saved, is a healing tongue. They bring forth words of the true Gospel which can save a person and give them eternal life. Many have gone from despondency to joy by means of salvation. The tongue of the wise helps build a person up, they normally see their strong points and help them build on those, thus increasing their confidence. The unsaved see a person’s weak points and then denigrate them on those thus bringing them down further.

 

Prov 12:19 (KJB)

The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

 

Here is another verse which teaches the future of the saved and unsaved. The one who speaks the truth is showing that they have been saved and as a result their lives go on forever in Heaven with the Lord. The unsaved with the lying tongue will meet its fate at the Judgment seat of Christ. (Rev 22:15 KJV) For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. The unsaved who continue to make lies will give an account for all those lies and their remuneration will be eternity in Hell. The lying tongue will be cut off on Judgment day and never again heard from. The verse states it is here but for a moment. Compared to eternity, this life is but a moment.

 

Prov 12:20 (KJB)

Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

 

Imagine - Plan

 

The root cause of the deceit that is in a person’s heart is the fact that they are not saved. Since they are not saved, they live according to the ways of the flesh to try and make it in this world. Unfortunately, the problem is that these people add more difficulties and sin to the world whenever they hatch a scheme which is evil. It not only affects them but it also affects others around them and creates a harsher environment. They are deceived into thinking that their way is correct and will yield them a good return, however, no sinful act will ever return anything good to the one who has done it. Those who are saved are planning peace, that is, they want to see the peace come between the unsaved and God. (Rom 5:1 KJV) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Their joy is to see others come into a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ thus ending the war with God. The unsaved is at enmity with God and that is why the unsaved ignore Him and attempt to come up with schemes that are attractive to the world, no matter how detrimental they are. The Christian’s heart is based in joy and that is what they seek to bring to the world.

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