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Bible Notes - Tabernacle Commentaries
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Proverbs 12:20
Comments
The picture is of dividers and uniters. What kind of evil is in mind? Well no doubt slander, because it has to be some form of evil, which is the opposite of what the peace-maker is doing. In any society, in any family, in any church. there will tend to be those who divide people from each other. There are those people who are full of slander, who gossip, who manage to drive wedges between people. They will tend to create cliques and factions, and make people antagonistic to each other. Then there will also be uniters, those who by their very personality and conduct tend to join people together, to make peace and build bridges.This seems like a self-evident statement, but is it? Do you see a liar? You can be sure that deceit is in his heart, for how can a lie come from a true heart, and how can a good heart generate falsehood? One dominant thought in this verse is the effect of a person’s words on their own heart, the harm or the blessing which the speaker brings to himself by his speech. Equally, what is in the heart is bound to find expression in the words, and therefore we can work backwards from an evil man’s words to the hidden deceit within; his words are only the tip of the iceberg of corruption in his soul. It ought to fill us with horror that such a condition of heart can exist, for what can be more destructive than to allow deceit to sit on the throne of the heart? What is to stop him moving further and further into the realm of wickedness? How will evil express itself next? Such a one deprives himself of the great joy that comes from being on the side of truth and committed to the truth. This is the joy of the one who rejects divisiveness and embraces peace, who has a good conscience, and who consciously seeks to please the Lord. He loves to speak wholesome words that honour the truth, that edify, that clear away misunderstanding, and direct men and women to turn to God. He can relax because he does not need to give constant attention to holding together a world of fabrication. Thoughts may flow freely through his mind and the only question he need ask is, Are they true?
Application
Am I an embittered or dissatisfied, or discontented or jealous kind of Christian? Well if I am there is little doubt that this will work itself out in my speaking against people, being unable to stand the fact that people appreciate the ones I am envious of. If only I could be the kind of person, who when I look at people I want to see them blessed and benefited and cheerful, lifted up and gladdened. That is the attitude, surely of our dear Saviour, who looks upon people for good, and desires their benefit, and their good. If God will make me such a person, then I will not be able to help being a peace maker, and a bridge builder.
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