Scripture Reading:

Proverbs 12:13-14

Proverbs 12:13

The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. 

Hardly a day goes by that we don’t read of some politician, businessman, or actor who was caught in a public sin. As a result, the true character of his heart revealed itself in his words or actions. In the family, harsh words will sometimes betray bitter feelings and unloving heart attitudes. Such sinful inclinations and
words are common between siblings and should be addressed with honesty and genuine humility. Instead of saying, “I didn’t mean to say that,” it would be far better to acknowledge the unloving sentiments, confess them, and ask for forgiveness. This is how we rebuild troubled relationships as true brothers and sisters in Christ.

Without heart-felt confession, the wicked will end up in the bear traps of divorce, criminal proceedings, public shame, and assorted broken relationships. They will not take back their destructive words, so they must live with the consequences of their wicked behavior for the rest of their lives.

Proverbs 12:14

A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him. 

The two parts of a man which contribute to his economic well being are his mouth and his hands—what he says and what he does. Using these two wonderful instruments, he is able to subdue the elements of the earth in productive labor. The nose, elbows, feet, ears, and toes are far less useful than the hands and mouth for the
purposes of cultivating crops, administering businesses, or designing and producing products. But nothing holds as much potential for fruitfulness and effectiveness in dominion work than communication by the mouth. The power of speech to build up, or to tear down, is not to be underestimated.

Men who lead large corporations and nations seldom do all that much with their hands, except perhaps to produce written correspondence. But even that will be dictated via the mind and mouth—and must properly encourage “the troops” by guiding, motivating, and organizing their efforts. If their companies net a million dollars at the end of the year, it is because of competent organization, guidance, and motivation on the part of the leadership, and they should be rewarded for it.

Of course, the men who used their hands to assemble the manufactured products or to fight the wars of a nation, ought to be rewarded as well for the work of their hands. The quality of the work and the success of an organization, business, church, or nation depend on the conscientious hard work of those who speak with their mouths and work with their hands to get the job done.

Family Discussion Questions:

1. What is the best way to come out of trouble? (Reference Matt. 5:23-24 and Matt. 18:15)

2. How much training does our family need to do in this area of the use of the tongue? Are we correcting our children sufficiently in order that they will learn to always speak wisdom?