Proverbs 14:23 – “In all labour [painful toil; sorrow] there is profit [gain; plenty; abundance]: but the talk [spoken word; speech; discourse] of the lips [language; vain talk] tendeth only to penury [poverty; want].”
You have heard it said “Talk is cheap!” and that is the point Solomon made to his son 3,000 years ago. Generally speaking, a person disciplined in life will profit from their diligence; however, those who are “all talk and no action” have only themselves to blame when they become disenchanted and dissatisfied with their state in life. If you want to build muscle…go to the gym. If you aspire to play a musical instrument, prepare yourself for years of practice. If you want to be successful in a career, remember profit and success come only at great sacrifice. Stop talking and get to work!
Proverbs 14:24 – “The crown [honor; reputation; reward] of the wise [skillful; practical; prudent; wise in the ways of God] is their riches [wealth; rich in wisdom; prosperous]: but the foolishness [silliness; folly; violating the Law of God] of [fat-headed; stupid; self-confident] fools is folly [silliness; folly; violating the Law of God].”
Wise men and women are rare in our day. You can buy a good education and acquire a lot of knowledge; however, neither of those buy you what no amount of money can afford—godly wisdom and discernment. The ungodly are fools for having rejected God and His Law. They play the fool and their folly is on display for all to see in both their words and actions. The wise are remembered for their wisdom, but fools for their stupidity.
Proverbs 14:25 – “A true [trustworthy; faithful; right] witness [one giving testimony] delivereth [recover; rescue; save] souls [lives; man; person]: but a deceitful [false; fraud] witness speaketh [kindles; i.e. fans a fire; utter; breathe] lies [falsehood; liar].”
An honest, sincere, faithful man is rare indeed! He knows the power of words and appreciates his testimony has the power to deliver the innocent out of trouble and damn the guilty to judgment.
However, a liar is a liar, is a liar. It is in his character, his spiritual DNA to lie, deceive, distort and mislead. He speaks lies for it is his nature. Like the god of this world, a liar lies because he is like his “father, the devil…When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44). A liar cares little the sorrow he causes or the innocent souls who are wrongfully punished by his false witness.
Copyright 2015 – Travis D. Smith