The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,
but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.
Summary: Following the crowd is something we humans do well. Like sheep following the sheep in front or geese flying in formation, we rarely step out on our own. This is why it is so important for us to pick the right group to follow. We need to seek the righteous and avoid the wicked.
In this last verse of chapter ten, Solomon returns to the topic of how our words affect our life and the lives of others.
The mouth of the wicked is predictable. What comes out is “perverse.” The online dictionary definition of the word is simple and to the point; “(of a person or their actions) showing a deliberate and obstinate desire to behave in a way that is unreasonable or unacceptable.”
Unacceptable to whom?
If you don’t acknowledge God as our Creator and King, then the answer to the question is you… and you, and you, and you, and … etc. Each person is their own king when it comes to deciding what is “right” and what is “perverse.”
In practice, we humans tend to want to do what everyone else is doing. Have you ever been driving down the freeway and come to a patch of traffic moving abnormally slow? You painstakingly navigate through all the cars and eventually get up to the head of the pack. There is no accident and there are no police cars. Just someone driving slowly, maybe in the right lane, maybe not. The rest of the pack slows down and matches the slow car’s speed for a time, slowing down everyone else. Finally, you break free of the pack and you can drive at a normal speed again.
The same thing happens with secular politics. People tend to cluster around those who are in the lead. It doesn’t matter if what they are doing is right or wrong in God’s eyes. What matters to them is whether they are getting what they want. This is why we see news reports declaring “Thing A” to be the best thing ever, and then a short time later, we see the same news outlets declaring “Thing A” to be the worst thing ever. Same “Thing,” different day.
While the humanistic moral compass tends to spin continually depending on the local winds, God’s moral view never changes. What he considers right or wrong today is the same thing he considered right and wrong when the world was made.
When Solomon says that “the lips of the righteous know what finds favor,” I think he means favor with God. Wisdom might tell us to watch our words and find favor with those in power on earth, but ultimately, the one we want to please is God.
Application: Read God’s Word each day to better understand how to find favor with him.
Food for Thought: If perverse people don’t know that they are perverse, how do we persuade people to vote for what is righteous?
Wow, that is a tough question for me! If perverse people don’t know that they are perverse, how do we persuade people to vote for what is righteous? I think you would have to have a conversation about truth, not parts of the truth, or a twisted truth, but the whole truth. I think you would also have to suffer through hearing their ideas at the beginning of the conversation, but that would give you a better idea what parts of the truth are being left out or twisted. Speaking the truth is a nonconfrontational way may plant seeds that can be harvested later by another, or possible show growth in additional conversations you may have.
2 Corinthians 5:11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
Thanks, Chris!
It is a tough question for me, too. I appreciate your thoughts and the reference verse!
Lol. Good question. Prayer is always a first step.
Tim,
Excellent advice! Thank you!
05-12-2022, Proverbs 10:32, If perverse people don’t know that they are perverse, how do we persuade people to vote for what is righteous?
Perverse people do know what they are doing.
The Law has been written in their hearts, their conscience and their hearts bear witness, accusing or excusing. The heavens declare the righteousness of God. All in the world are convicted of sin, righteousness, judgement, by the Holy Spirit of God.
Romans 2:15, Psalm 97:6. John 16:8
Scripture repeatedly says that judgment will be according to works of each person.
Psalms 62:12, Proverbs 24:12, Jeremiah 17:10; 32:19; Matthew 16:27, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 2:6; 14:12; Revelation 2:23, 22:12
Because of stubbornness and unrepentant hearts people are storing up wrath for themselves in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
Romans 2:5,
The Lord convicts, and Christ in us will minister to them as they are brought to us. Their response will determine their future.
Ron,
Thank you! You point out a scriptural truth: God has made himself known to his creation. Yet it is also true that many people do not acknowledge God as Creator. So maybe I should have stated my question differently. Perhaps something like this:
If perverse people don’t acknowledge that they are perverse, how do we persuade people to vote for what is righteous?
Your conclusion is excellent and useful as a guide. If we minister to people as Christ brings them to us we have an opportunity to change hearts.
(A link for all of Ron’s verses is here.)
You really had me going on this one Jeff. I tried looking at this from every possible direction, I just knew you had something going on that I could not see.
Thank you for helping me out.
You did great, Ron. I always appreciate your thoughtful comments. Your point remains true – God has revealed himself to us. As Paul says in Romans 1:20 —
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.“
I think a change of heart needs to happen before there is a change of vote.
There was a man who was staunchly pro choice in Colorado and very much pro abortion. He eventually came to Christ and his heart changed. The change of world view and change of vote followed. If we want to see a change of heart, share Christ and pray for God to move. 2 Corinthians 5: 17; Romans 12: 1 – 2.
Rich,
Thank you! Tim also pointed us to prayer and I confess that I am still learning how and when to pray. The thing about prayer is that no matter what is going on, it is something we can do. God allows us to participate in his work in many ways.