A Contrast between righteous & the wicked

Proverbs 10:10-21

“Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will come to ruin.  The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.   Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.  On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.  The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.  A rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.  The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin.  Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.  The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.  When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.  The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.”

I’m not sure what Solomon is referring to about the wink of the eye, but it could be a person who does not take life serious and is always flirting with the opposite sex, or with the responsibility of life.  But we have all experienced a babbling fool, and it is an offense to all that is exposed to such a person but do you ever stop and wonder do I come across like that to others?

What a contrast between the righteous person and the mouth of the wicked, “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.”   I’ve been very impressed with the current Vice President and his convictions and how he honors the Lord Jesus Christ and shows honor for his wife, by not allowing the pressure of Washington to change his convictions.  But the mouth of the wicked is so full of hate for anyone who honors the Lord Jesus they are not able to conceal the violence of their hearts.  As a follower of Christ, we should ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in to all truth; He has promised if we seek Him with an open heart He will do that.  How about asking Him to make this verse your plan of action; “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”  So we as a follower of Christ will not slander as those who stir up strife but will show love to them, the same love that Jesus has taught each of us. 

“On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.  The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.”  I have often been in the camp of the one who lacks sense, but I’m learning the foolishness of that and what peace and joy come when one understands that Jesus has promised to give understanding and wisdom to all who come to Him seeking God’s wisdom.

“Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.  The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.  When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.  The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense.”

If you find you are molded by the world's system, and as one who professes to be a Christian but is willing to pass on slander or untruth about anyone, you need to ask the Lord to open your eyes to the verses above.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice