Proverbs 10:32
“The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.”
The lips of the righteous speak right things, and what is right to do. They don’t speak anyhow!
They speak those things that are approved of the LORD:
They don’t speak to please people!!
They speak the acceptable word of God.
Because they have studied to walk in righteousness. So, “The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable”
They know what to speak, and what not to speak.
Their words edify.
Their word teaches the way to go to profit.
That’s why the scripture says: “The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.”
Ecclesiastes chapter 12 verse 10, it said:
“The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.”
So, the lips of the righteous choose their words; they don’t just speak anyhow. They ‘study to shew themselves approved, workmen who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth’; and they speak a word in season to souls that are weary; and they speak a word of rebuke to those that need correction.
So, “The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable”. They speak the right word at the right time. They don’t speak to please anybody. They speak what is ordained of the LORD.
As the LORD gave wisdom to Daniel, he spoke to the king, he was not afraid of the king. He told the king what he ought to do, in Daniel chapter 4 verse 27. He said:
“Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.”
So, he spoke to the king – ‘that this may be the way of peace, when you break off thy sins by righteousness.’
Simply Put: ‘Come to the saving knowledge of the word of God; Put iniquity far away from thy tabernacle; Love mercy; Walk in humility; Repent, and the LORD will forgive you and have mercy upon you.’
“The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.” I encourage you: ‘Come to know what is acceptable.’
How do you know what is acceptable?
Come to know the word of God! It said: ‘You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.’ – [Ref: John 8:32].
Come to know what is acceptable before the LORD, and what will please God; and come to purpose to walk in it, so that your ways will be acceptable unto the LORD, so that what you speak will be acceptable unto the LORD, will be approved of the LORD!
Come to grow in the word of God, so that you will be full of “sound speech that cannot be condemned”!! – [Ref: Titus 2:8].
“The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.” May frowardness never be found in your mouth.
Proverbs 12 verse 18 says this:
“There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.”
So,
The tongue of the wise brings health: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness – it’s piercing like a sword; it doesn’t bring life; it brings destruction to those who listen to such frowardmouths.
Don’t listen to the wicked, Don’t walk in their ways; Don’t copy them at all! For “the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.”
The scripture tells us in Proverbs 15 verse 2:
“The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.”
So, the lips of the righteous, they use knowledge correctly. ‘The tongue of the wise, the tongue of the righteous – they use knowledge correctly’; they don’t misuse knowledge. But the wicked perverts knowledge, misuses knowledge; houses knowledge for his own benefit, not for the advancement of the kingdom, or advancement of the people.
The scripture tells us in that same Proverbs 15:28
“The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.”
So, the righteous does not open his mouth to speak anyhow, or quickly; he weighs his answers, he weighs them according to the word of God.
Whatever he says, he mirrors it from the word of God; as a representation of what God says; not just speaking anyhow. That’s why “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer.” He doesn’t rush to answer.
Don’t be quick in opening your mouth to pour out evil things, or to just speak. Weigh what you are saying. That’s how you show that you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Weigh it on the balance of the word of God; whatever you want to say.
For “The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.” Because the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness, that’s why he will ‘enter into contention’ every time, with what he says.
‘His mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.’ – [Proverbs 18:6-7]. For they will be ensnared by what they say, because they don’t weigh what they say.
And that’s why “The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.”
I Encourage You –
‘To come into the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus; And let the meditation of your heart, and the words of your mouth be acceptable unto the LORD. Let your lips know what is acceptable, and speak according to the counsel of the LORD!’
This is the ‘Word of Wisdom’ for you today. And as you do it – Remain blessed, in Jesus’ name. Amen.