Proverbs 16:28 Commentary and Bible Study

When placed next to the previous proverb, it is clear that one form which the burning fire on the lips takes is the sowing of strife. An evil man loves to divide and the devil gives him an ability to do this which makes every sinner a genius. He studies the differences between those he wishes to turn against each other and works out how to exaggerate those things which are most likely to cause offence between them. He is ready to say a word here and a word there which will subtly play on the mind without making his intention too obvious lest he arouse suspicion – ‘Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?’ (Gen. 3:1 KJV). He comes out into the open as he sees he is making progress and has started to turn his victim. Then there is less risk that he will be regarded as a promoter of strife, and more likelihood that he will be perceived as an honest reporter – ‘For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil’ (Gen. 3:5 KJV). The hostility that he sows between close friends gives him great pleasure because it is one better than the hatred he feels in his heart to the two parties. It gives him as much satisfaction to see people hurting each other as it does to inflict hurt himself. His weapons are suspicion and mistrust and he can manufacture these out of nothing. He prides himself on his ability to work in a very unpromising situation, and even dares to tackle close friends. As in Eden he looks for something that could be turned into a cause of strain between people. There, Satan targeted the trust that was required of Adam and Eve by the Lord, which must form the proper basis of any relationship between God and his creature who is so unequal to him. Attacking the woman first, Satan used this to fabricate all manner of false imaginings in the heart of Eve towards the Lord and which were all groundless. He stole trust from the Lord and redirected trust to himself as if he was more worthy of it, when in truth he is the father of lies.