The Way of Wisdom: A Study of the Book of ProverbsSample

(This day of study was written by Ruth Chou Simons.)

Words are not just words; they carry meaning. They reveal. They influence. They get lodged into our minds and hearts.

Words have real power. The power to build up or tear down. To be conduits of truth, or runways for destructive lies. For better or worse, the words spoken to us, over us, or about us can have great and lasting impact.

Is it any wonder then, that the Bible—especially the book of Proverbs—has so much to say about how we use our words? We need godly wisdom for what to speak, when to speak, and how to speak in such a way that leverages the best of what words can do.

There are a few different types of unwise speech highlighted in Proverbs. We can categorize these as “words of Folly.” Here are a few of the words of Folly referenced in Proverbs:

• Bragging
• Contentious or quarrelsome speech
• Deception
• Flattery
• Gossip
• Perverse speech
• Slander

Today we’re digging into Proverbs to see what it has to say about deception (telling lies, including exaggeration, embellishment, half-truths, or lies of omission) and perverse speech (words that distort truth or reality). We’ll find the solution to both issues is the same: to speak truth.

None of us would likely self-identify as a “deceiver.” But, by the definition above, we can probably all think of a situation or scenario where deception is exactly what we practiced. Whether it’s a story we added details to, a “joke” we made, or something we didn’t say but should have, deception is what our flesh defaults to unless we intentionally choose the opposite.

Proverbs 26:18-19 says, “Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says ‘I am only joking!’”

Firebrands, arrows, and death? Are deceptive words truly destructive? In short, yes.

In the New Testament story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11), we’re reminded that deception isn’t only a sin against the person you’re deceiving—it’s a sin against God: “You have not lied to man but to God” (Acts 5:4, ESV). Ultimately, Ananias and Sapphira lost their lives because of their deception. Though we may not face the same consequence as a direct result of our lies or deceptive speech, may this story serve as a warning to us about how serious it truly is.

Remember, we defined perverse speech as words that distort truth or reality. According to this definition, perverse speech would include false religions and ideas and also include words that describe sin as something other than sin. In a pluralistic culture that commends everyone to “live their truth,” perverse speech abounds.

Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly,
and don’t let your lips talk deviously.

Proverbs 4:24

The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom,
but a perverse tongue will be cut out.

The lips of the righteous know what is appropriate,
but the mouth of the wicked, only what is perverse.

Proverbs 10:31-32

The book of Ecclesiastes assures us that “there is nothing new under the sun” (1:9b), and perverse speech is no exception. Ever since sin first entered the picture, words have been used to distort what is true and right and good. Consider the words of the serpent to Eve in the garden of Eden: “Did God actually say . . . ?” (Gen. 3:1). The first evidence of sin is perverted speech that distorts the goodness and love of God.

In order to “put off ” (Eph. 4:20-24) patterns of foolish speech, we first need to identify what the underlying issue is. So, what’s at the root of deceptive or perverse speech? The underlying issue for both of these unwise types of speech is idolatry. We want something so much that we’re willing to sin (deceive or pervert speech) in order to get it. We allow ourselves to believe the lie that if we take things into our own hands (in spite of how it will displease or disobey God) we’ll somehow attain happiness and the results we treasure.

So, if deception and perverse speech have potentially devastating effects, what’s the alternative? If we’re putting off idolatry, what are we “putting on”? What does it look like to apply wisdom to these sinful patterns? Wisdom beckons us to speak truth.

John 14:1-7 reminds us: Jesus is the way, the truth and the life! He is the way of wisdom—the path to life.

And because He is the truth, He leads the way to the truth for us, empowers us to walk in it, and teaches us to speak it.

In Ephesians 4:14-15, Paul instructs believers to “speak the truth in love” as a contrast to being blown about by words of deceit.

Paul says that speaking the truth in love is important for the body of Christ to function properly. Without a commitment to wise speech—prioritizing truth shared in the context of love—the body of Christ is unstable and anchorless, unsure of who we are following. When we speak the truth in love, we build each other (and in turn, the whole body of Christ!) up and help each other be more and more conformed to the image of Christ.

Take a moment to reflect on one area or way you sense the Holy Spirit inviting you to speak the truth (instead of deceiving or using perverse speech) this week, and then say a quick prayer asking for the Lord’s help in walking this out.