The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

I just wanted to see if I could get your attention. Ha! I guess it worked.

Proverbs 10 is a compilation of 32 verses that compare wisdom to foolishness. It gives examples in finances, farming, speaking, age, etc. With the exception of a few verses, the first half of the verse cover wisdom and the other half gives the opposite effect (antithetical) in foolishness. I didn’t study this long enough to develop or see an order in these 32 verses. Maybe someone has.

But what did stand out of all this was this one verse: (Proverbs 10:19) In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. This what I’ve been thinking of lately: People say one thing and then go do another. That’s the truth. And I know nobody wants to be called a hypocrite. But let’s face the truth. James said (James 2:17) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Who of us, has works 100% of the time that shows our faith. Saying one thing and doing another is the same as believing one thing and behaving differently; when our practice doesn’t match our principles; our testimony doesn’t match the truths; we don’t walk the talk. Yes, that is hypocricy, but let us be honest with ourselves and admit that it’s also normal. (Romans 3:4) Let God be true, but every man a liar… What Jesus said about the Pharisees is true of every man. (Matthew 23:1-3) But do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 

So when I came to this verse, In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin… I thought about the individuals in the ministry or the church that have shipwrecked, so to speak. (And I throw no stones. Believe me. I understand what it is to drift and forsake what you’ve learned or professed) But I think of the many words that they once spoke. They used to say they believed this or believed that, and now by their actions, they apparently don’t. They’ve gone off the deep end. So, our words may sound good on the outside. But alas, what is on the inside eventually comes through.

Talk is cheap. And I mean that not as an accusation but as a warning to ourselves. Talk can be much like feelings. You just can’t trust them. You just can’t live your life by them. For some of us, talk is a result of feelings. We talk when we feel like it. So if you can’t trust feelings, why in the world would we trust our talk? In fact, I kinda want to just stop typing! He he he!

Anyhow, hypocrisy is something I believe all of us have to deal with. I don’t know about you, but I seem to wake up every morning in Romans Chapter 7. (Romans 7:19) For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Any enlightenment on this subject is a help to me. If I can offer any insight into the causes of going shipwreck or prevent someone or myself from doing so then I want to do that. So I went back and counted at least 12 out of the 32 verses dealt with speaking, the mouth, the lips, or the tongue. So I want to look at some of that.

A prating fool…

I saw this expression come up twice, and was genuinely curious as to what prating meant. Mr. Webster has this word as meaning Talking much on a trifling subject; talking idly.

(Proverbs 10:8) The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

(Proverbs 10:10) He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.

Now that I think about it, prattling on is a very common use nowadays of that word. I used to think that people who talk much had the gift of gab. I’m not so sure it’s a gift now; could possibly be a curse. A fool that prattles on shall fall.

A well of life…

(Proverbs 10:11) The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life… This reminds me of the verse (James 5:16) The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Much words can also be good, but it depends on who and where they are directed. Much words to God in the secret place is a well of life. But much prattling on to man is death. What is good and beneficial is to talk to God. What is bad and detrimental is to talk to man. The bible says (Luke 18:1) And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. Preacher Allen is always telling us that the secret to a victorious Spirit-filled life is to spend more time with Him than you do anybody else.

(Proverbs 10:21) The lips of the righteous feed many. Put this verse back into the context of (Proverbs 10:19) But he that refraineth his lips is wise. I’m reminded of that song Little is Much When God is In It. The wise will speak less; but when they do speak, it’s a well of life and many are fed.

Violence covereth the mouth of the wicked…

And the rest of that verse reads (Proverbs 10:11) …but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. Verse 6 reads the same way: (Proverbs 10:6) But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. It seems that the most common interpretation of this is that the expression covereth the mouth is indicative of judgment; to silence in judgment; to cause guilt or put to shame. (Romans 3:19) That every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. But if you read the commentaries you’ll see disparaging views as to how to apply the violence part of that verse. How exactly does violence cover the mouth? So you know what that means, right? I get to make up whatever I want! Just kidding.

This is what I thought of when I ran across this verse. During one of our pit-stops on the way back from Georgia, as I walked through the convenience store, I passed by a man; a big man. He was speaking to the person walking in front of him. And in the few seconds that I passed him by I heard such vile, filthy, disgusting, hateful words. My son was right behind me, so he got to hear that too. And I thought that little kids ought not to hear stuff life that. Anyhow in keeping with the mainstream interpretation, this violent speech is a badge of judgment. It’s a badge of shame and guilt. You need not go to trial to determine what is in your heart. It’s all over your mouth.

I know we’re all guilty of thinking things we ought not; but to let them come all the way out of your mouth is the seed coming to fruition. We don’t have to let things take root. We don’t have to fill up with it; that it spills over at any bump. The passage goes on to say (Proverbs 10:18) He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. A fool because he knows not the judgment that his lies and slander bring upon him. (Proverbs 10:14) The mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

Lay up knowledge…

The passage says that (Proverbs 10:14) Wise men lay up knowledge. And this is evident in their speech (when they do speak). (Proverbs 10:13) In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found. And (Proverbs 10:31) The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom. It’s in the lips and the mouth can bring it forth. But before that, there’s going to have to be some laying up. Now, James said that God gives it out liberally. (James 1:5) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

But when I see that term lay up, I picture the hard-working farmer! Plowing, cultivating, sowing, harrowing, hoeing, watering, thinning, pruning, harvesting, plucking, threshing, and lots of sweating! It takes real work to lay up a crop. It takes time. It takes a lot of grace from the heavens too. Laying up a crop takes work and effort; maybe some blood, sweat, and tears. So which is it? If God gives liberally, does that mean it’s free for the taking? No effort involved? Hold on a sec. James also says in the next verse (James 1:6) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. Take that verse and couple it with James’ teaching on faith (James 2:17) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Ahhh! Not so free as we would like, is it? (James 2:14) What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?

(Proverbs 10:20) The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. The tongue of the just is as choice silver because much has been layed up to back the value of that silver. The heart of the wicked is little worth because little or nothing has been layed up to give it any value. In order for the tongue to have the value of choice silver, much must be invested. (2 Corinthians 9:6) But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

What is acceptable…

(Proverbs 10:32) The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness. So who can’t help but think of (Psalm 19:14) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. What is acceptable is not necessarily what is acceptable to man. What counts is what is acceptable to the Lord. Several commentaries say that the lips of the righteous know what is acceptable to God and to men. I think it would better to say that the lips of the righteous know what is acceptable to God and for men. That covers things better; for man usually doesn’t know what is acceptable to God; and what is acceptable to God is acceptable for man. And it’s not to man unless man accepts it. And to plus to equals for! See, it all makes sense.

Seriously, this is what is comes down to. It’s nice when all men are pleased, but the reality is that never happens. What is most important is that God is pleased. That word acceptable is translated in other places as the desire, favour, with good-will. That’s why I don’t go along with the God and man thing. I care not for the desires of man and I need not the favour of man. But the desires of God I am very much interested in. To be in his favour is very important to me.

I’ve got to move on…

(Proverbs 10:19) In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. I know what you’re thinking. Why doesn’t this guy practice what he preaches and just shut-up? This verse demands that we examine ourselves. So if you find yourself in Romans Chapter 7 all the time, or perhaps you’re drifting from the things of God, prayerfully consider that maybe our words, our mouths, our lips can be examined.

  1. A prating fool… Examine your conversation; how much you talk; what you talk about. Perhaps it’s time to practice (1 Thessalonians 4:11) And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you. Seriously, I have a child that gives absolutely no thought to what is going to come out of that mouth. It just shoots out. This child is always getting into trouble and 100% of the time it’s what is proceeding from the mouth. If the child would just zip it, O what peace we’d all have! Remember, a prating fool shall fall.
  2. A well of life… Maybe something to consider is others. Does what you say encourage others in the things of God? Does it edify? Or does it bring people down? Are your words poison? Complaining? Criticizing? Do we build people up or tear them down? Now this doesn’t mean you have to teach everybody a lesson (See #1). But do examine the effect you may be having on others. It may tell you much about yourself and the direction you are going.
  3. Violence covereth the mouth of the wicked… I don’t know who’s reading this. But I’ll speak directly. If your words indicate that you get pleasure out of other people’s pain, there is something seriously wrong with you. No amount of God-talk can hide that. You may not be in Romans Chapter 7, but maybe in Romans Chapter 1.
  4. Lay up knowledge… We get discouraged, I know. But we have to be honest. How can we reap if we haven’t sown? I’ll never forget the words of Lester Roloff, when preaching to a preacher at an ordination service, he said, “Brother Al, you’re going to have to give him some time…” How much have you invested in laying up knowledge? How much bible do you read? How much preaching do you listen to? Do you read books? Have you asked God for wisdom?
  5. What is acceptable… Check your desire to fulfill God’s desires. Who’s are more important? Yours or His? Does the acceptance of man thrill you more than pleasing God? Does the will of God mean anything to you? How important is it really to you? Now I’ve only been saved 13 years. But I can honestly say the will of God is much more precious to me now than it was years prior. These things take time.

Like I said earlier, there’s nothing abnormal about hypocrisy. There’s no shame in admitting that. The shame lies in doing nothing about it. The shame is in lying to yourself and God that everything is okay, when it’s not. We need not wonder why Christians fall away or get discouraged. There are signs and warnings. And there is help. (Luke 11:10) For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

One last thing. There is no substitute for faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ and the finished work of Calvary. There is power in the blood. And there is no help but that which comes from the Holy Ghost. We may never fully understand our troubles, but we can have faith in God to fix them.

And don’t forget: Make your dad glad. And don’t make your mama fat.