From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,
but a perverse tongue will be silenced.
Summary: Solomon continues to point out the differences between the words of the righteous and the perverse.
Solomon does it again! Another moment in Biblical word-smithing that, once seen, can’t be unseen. Fruit coming out of the mouth!
I can get on board with silencing a perverse tongue. (Although we might have to have a discussion about the word “perverse.”) I can imagine the “fruit of wisdom.” But picturing pineapples and pomegranates coming out of the mouth is a bit much.
Okay, Solomon is the wisest person who ever lived, so we should probably give him the benefit of the doubt. He knows what he is doing. He has our attention, and he is making a point.
So far, Solomon has made the case that the righteous speak a certain kind of language:
- Knowledge & wisdom (Proverbs 2: 6)
- Truth (Proverbs 8:7)
- Justice (Proverbs 8:8)
- Words of life (Proverbs 10:11)
The same is true for the perverse tongue:
- Wickedness (Proverbs 8:7)
- Violence (Proverbs 10:6, 11)
- Corruption (Proverbs 4: 24; 6: 12)
- Ruination (Proverbs 10: 14)
To expand on Solomon’s metaphor, the language of the righteous is like fresh, wholesome, healthy fruit. The language of the perverse is like rotten, poisonous, ugly fruit.
Do you get the picture? There is a difference. It is important that we can know what the difference is. In his letter to the Twelve Tribes, James writes that the tongue “is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3: 8). Solomon himself writes, “Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins” (Ecclesiastes 7:20).
So how do we get from a perverse tongue to a righteous one? Solomon tells us the answer when he says:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)
We must turn to God for help. Jesus Christ himself promised he would send the Holy Spirit to those who believe in him (John 14:26, 15:26). With God in our hearts and his Word in our minds (Acts 20:32) we can learn to speak the language of the righteous.
Application: Do a language check. What comes out of your mouth each day?
Food for Thought: How and when does God silence the perverse tongue?
Good reminders 🙏
Thanks Jim!
It is so easy to take what comes out of our mouths for granted.
How and when does God silence the perverse tongue?
Well How and When would be up to The Lord. I can’t limit what God can or cannot do or when. But its isn’t up to man to try to silence the tongue even though some think that they can control people’s speech. James 3:8
Tim,
A wise answer! The James 3:8 passage is a good one. It “speaks” to the futility of trying to be perfect.
I agree with T. God can rebuke anyone He wants when He wants. At the end of the book of Job He silenced Job. Zechariah (John the Baptist’s father) was literally silenced until John was born. And both of those men were righteous men. At the end of life at judgment may be a time of silencing for some (or at least they will confess truth (Philippians 2: 9 – 11). But in the end, truth wins out. So for today we should practice Ephesians 4: 29.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4: 29
Great verse, Rich!
05-11-2022, Proverbs 10:31, How and when does God silence the perverse tongue?
In the Bible we see God chooses what is perverse and how to silence the source.
King Nebuchadnezzar was silenced by living as a beast of the field for seven periods. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees were silenced by Jesus as He wrote in the sand with His finger. Zacharias was silenced until the birth of his son because he laughed when told by a messenger from God, he would have a son.
Daniel 4:31-34, John 8:6-8, Luke 1:60
We are commanded to go out among them and be separate from them, ask for wisdom which will be given to us, as we follow Jesus who will silence the perverse tongue in us.
2 Corinthians 6:17, James 1:5, John 14:6
Ron,
Excellent summation. Thank you!
How and when does God silence the perverse tongue? As T and R said God can silence anytime He sees fit. And I think silence goes beyond the ability to speak, but also the ability to be heard as well. As perverse speech grows, it will turn away an audience.
Proverbs 16:28 A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Thanks, Chris!
You have given us an insight into the problem and a verse that outlines the cure. 🙂
I know I am kind of stubborn at times and not everything that comes out of my mouth is checked,..it just seems to flow.
Had to look up the word perverse,.. to understand what a perverse tongue is. Stubborn with an obstinate desire to speak in a way that is undesirable or unacceptable, often in spite of consequences.
Yep,..that’s me for sure,..not all the time but I certainly fall in that category. I am getting better with the words that come out of my mouth as I am getting cut off on the freeway for the last minute Larry to take the exit. I know they are unacceptable and fortunately it’s between God and me. I am certainly blessed that He understands this perverse tongue of mine.
Since I am in the truck with the windows rolled up,..that would equate to being silenced,..wouldn’t it?
Hi John!
Great to hear from you again!
And yes, having the windows up is a way of being silenced. It is also an interesting metaphor for what goes on in our heads. Is the voice we hear inside our skull the fruit of wisdom or perverse? Others might not hear it if the “windows are up” but it still has an impact on us. Something to think about!