Life Saver (Proverbs 13:5-6)

The difference between a righteous man and a wicked man is that the righteous man feels guilt. When he has transgressed against the Lord, his heart weighs heavy in his chest.

"A [consistently] righteous man hates lying and deceit, but a wicked man is loathsome [his very breath spreads pollution] and he surely comes to shame." Proverbs 13:5, Amplified

The righteous man can lie. It is within the ability of every man to transgress the commandments of the Lord. The difference between the two is the shame that follows. I know for myself, when I sin, a great heaviness accompanies it. I begin to hate myself for allowing my heart to stray. Forgiveness is soon sought after. But the wicked man feels no shame or guilt. The difference is that within the righteous man resides the Holy Spirit. Conviction causes the Christian to seek forgiveness.

"Righteousness [rightness and justice in every area and relation] guards him who is upright in his way, but wickedness plunges into sin and overthrows the sinner." Proverbs 13:6, Amplified

If we walk in righteousness, we will be guarded. This is not to say that bad things will not happen to the righteous man. I know that I got fired from my job when I decided to do the right thing. You see, we must view everything in our lives as a greater plan created by God. The guard that covers the Christian is the faith that he possesses. When things go wrong for the sinner, he has nothing to hold on to. If all we ever know is sin, then that sin will soon overtake us. But if we come to a saving knowledge of the Lord, then we have that proverbial life saver awaiting us.

Truth and Lies (Proverbs 12:17-22)

There is one way to know the state of a man's heart. You listen to his words. It may take a while, but the intent of a man's heart will be made known by the subject of his conversation.

"He who breathes out truth shows forth righteousness - uprightness and right standing with God; but a false witness utters deceit." Proverbs 12:17, Amplified

I like reading this verse. "He who breathes out truth..." When truth becomes so much a part of our being, we actually live it and breathe it. Truth should be a second nature, just like breathing. But a man of wicked intentions cannot help but to utter evil and deceit. To not be in tune with what the Lord wants for our lives, we then have to align ourselves with something else. If we are not for God then we are for the world, and the world has nothing for us but deceit.

"There are those who speak rashly like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18, Amplified

The book of James has one chapter dedicated to the tongue. It is a small but powerful muscle. To not think about what is going to be said can be like cutting someone to the heart. There are those out there who do not think before they speak, therefore they end up wounding more than making friends.

The wise tongue, however, brings about healing. Now I want whoever reads this to understand that the wise tongue can cut as well. The wise tongue speaks truth, and the truth sometimes hurts. But the cutting of the wise tongue is more like a surgeon's scalpel. The truth needs to cut out the lie.

"Truthful lips shall be established for ever, but a lying tongue is [credited] but for a moment." Proverbs 12:19, Amplified

The truth lasts forever, it does not change. Therefore the truthful person shall benefit from this; he too shall be established forever. But the one who speaks lies may get to where he is going. He may even establish himself for a while. But in the end, the truth will always win out. A man who lies needs to constantly lie to cover up lies, so his foundation becomes shaky because he must remember all the lies he has told. But the man who tells the truth does not need to remember anything he has said, because it is the truth.

"Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but to the counselors of peace is joy." Proverbs 12:20, Amplified

One problem with being deceitful is thinking that everyone one else thinks as you do. But those who bring peace to others, by speaking truth, have joy of heart.

"No [actual] evil, misfortune or calamity shall come upon the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil, misfortune and calamity." Proverbs 12:21, Amplified

This verse is speaking of the deliverance that comes from the Lord. If we were to read the Psalms, we might wonder if this verse is contradictory. David always wrote about the suffering that he endured, but he always spoke of the deliverance and the goodness of the Lord. Paul was another an of God who understood suffering. "And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for his heavenly kingdom." (II Timothy 4:18a, NKJV)

"Lying lips are extremely disgusting and hateful to the Lord, but they who deal truly are His delight." Proverbs 12:22, Amplified

Those who lie are disgusting to the Lord because they go against what the Lord is. He is truth. Those who speak the truth are His delight because they glorify God in their speech and deeds and conversation. The Lord hates lying lips, they are the direct opposite of who He is.