A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth, A worthless personThe Hebrew word for "worthless" is "בְּלִיַּעַל" (belial), which conveys the idea of someone who is without value or purpose, often associated with wickedness and lawlessness. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a "worthless person" was someone who rejected the moral and social norms of the community, living in a way that was destructive both to themselves and to others. From a conservative Christian perspective, this phrase serves as a warning against living a life that is disconnected from God's purpose and righteousness. It calls believers to examine their own lives and ensure they are living in alignment with God's will, contributing positively to their communities. A wicked man
The term "wicked" in Hebrew is "רָשָׁע" (rasha), which refers to someone who is morally wrong, guilty, or hostile to God. Historically, the wicked were those who actively opposed God's laws and engaged in behaviors that were harmful to others. In the biblical narrative, wickedness is often contrasted with righteousness, highlighting the choice each person has to follow God's path or to turn away from it. This phrase emphasizes the moral responsibility of individuals to choose righteousness over wickedness, aligning their lives with God's standards. Walks with a perverse mouth
The phrase "walks with" suggests a habitual lifestyle or pattern of behavior. The Hebrew word for "perverse" is "עִקֵּשׁ" (iqqesh), meaning twisted or crooked. A "perverse mouth" indicates speech that is deceitful, misleading, or corrupt. In the ancient world, speech was a powerful tool, and the words one spoke were seen as a reflection of the heart's condition. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this phrase underscores the importance of integrity in speech, as words have the power to build up or tear down. Believers are called to speak truthfully and lovingly, reflecting the character of Christ in their communication. Persons / Places / Events 1. Worthless PersonIn Hebrew, the term used is (belial), which means someone who is without value or morally corrupt. This term is often used to describe individuals who are rebellious against God and His ways. 2. Wicked ManThe Hebrew word (aven) refers to someone who is morally wrong, guilty, or engaged in iniquity. This person actively chooses to live in opposition to God's righteousness. 3. Perverse MouthThis phrase indicates speech that is twisted, deceitful, or corrupt. It reflects the inner moral state of the person, as speech is often a window into the heart. Teaching Points Guard Your Heart and SpeechThe condition of our heart is often revealed through our words. As believers, we must strive to align our speech with God's truth and righteousness. Recognize and Avoid WorthlessnessUnderstanding the characteristics of a "worthless person" helps us to avoid such behaviors and influences in our own lives. Pursue RighteousnessInstead of walking in wickedness, we are called to pursue a life that reflects God's holiness and righteousness. The Power of WordsOur words have the power to build up or tear down. We should use our speech to edify others and glorify God. Discernment in RelationshipsBe discerning about the people you associate with, as their influence can impact your walk with God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the description of a "worthless person" in Proverbs 6:12 challenge you to evaluate your own speech and actions? 2. In what ways can you guard your heart to ensure that your words reflect righteousness rather than wickedness? 3. How do the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 12:34-35 relate to the message of Proverbs 6:12 regarding the connection between the heart and speech? 4. What practical steps can you take to avoid the influence of "worthless" or "wicked" individuals in your life? 5. How can the teachings in James 3:6-8 help you understand the importance of controlling your tongue and the impact of your words? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 4:24This verse advises putting away a deceitful mouth and perverse lips, highlighting the importance of pure speech as a reflection of a righteous heart. Matthew 12:34-35Jesus teaches that the mouth speaks what the heart is full of, connecting the condition of the heart with the words one speaks. James 3:6-8James discusses the power of the tongue and its potential for evil, emphasizing the need for control over one's speech. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics FALSE, Belial, Causing, Corrupt, Crooked, Evil-doer, Froward, Goes, Good-for-nothing, Iniquity, Mouth, Naughty, Perverse, Perverseness, Speech, Trouble, Villain, Walketh, Walking, Walks, Wicked, Worthless, WorthlessnessDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 6:12 4121 Satan, enemy of God
6130 corruption Proverbs 6:10-15 5398 loss Proverbs 6:12-13 5152 fingers Proverbs 6:12-14 5834 disagreement Proverbs 6:12-15 5817 conspiracies
5890 insecurity
5948 shrewdness Proverbs 6:12-19 8736 evil, warnings against Library The Talking Book
A Sermon (No. 1017) Delivered on Lord's Day Morning, October 22nd, 1871 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "When thou awakest, it shall talk with thee."--Proverbs 6:22. It is a very happy circumstance when the commandment of our father and the law of our mother are also the commandment of God and the law of the Lord. Happy are they who have a double force to draw them to the right--the bonds of nature, and the cords of grace. They sin with a vengeance who sin both against …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on ProverbsAn Appeal to Children of Godly Parents
A sermon (No. 2406) intended for reading on Lord's Day, March 31st, 1895, delivered by C. H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, on Lord's Day evening, March 27th, 1887. "My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs The Talking Book
In order that we may be persuaded so to do, Solomon gives us three telling reasons. He says that God's law, by which I understand the whole run of Scripture, and, especially the gospel of Jesus Christ, will be a guide to us:--"When thou goest, it shall lead thee." It will be a guardian to us: "When thou sleepest"--when thou art defenceless and off thy guard--"it shall keep thee." And it shall also be a dear companion to us: "When thou awakest, it shall talk with thee." Any one of these three arguments …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871 How Sowers of Strifes and Peacemakers are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 24.) Differently to be admonished are sowers of strifes and peacemakers. For sowers of strifes are to be admonished to perceive whose followers they are. For of the apostate angel it is written, when tares had been sown among the good crop, An enemy hath done this (Matth. xiii. 28). Of a member of him also it is said through Solomon, An apostate person, an unprofitable man, walketh with a perverse mouth, he winketh with his eyes, he beateth with his foot, he speaketh with his finger, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great A Jealous God
I. Reverently, let us remember that THE LORD IS EXCEEDINGLY JEALOUS OF HIS DEITY. Our text is coupled with the command--"Thou shalt worship no other God." When the law was thundered from Sinai, the second commandment received force from the divine jealousy--"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in the heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 9: 1863 How Subjects and Prelates are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 5.) Differently to be admonished are subjects and prelates: the former that subjection crush them not, the latter that superior place elate them not: the former that they fail not to fulfil what is commanded them, the latter that they command not more to be fulfilled than is just: the former that they submit humbly, the latter that they preside temperately. For this, which may be understood also figuratively, is said to the former, Children, obey your parents in the Lord: but to …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Preface to the Commandments
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God,' &c. Exod 20: 1, 2. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments? The preface to the Ten Commandments is, I am the Lord thy God.' The preface to the preface is, God spake all these words, saying,' &c. This is like the sounding of a trumpet before a solemn proclamation. Other parts of the Bible are said to be uttered by the mouth of the holy prophets (Luke 1: 70), but here God spake in his own person. How are we to understand that, God spake, …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments "Boast not Thyself of to Morrow, for Thou Knowest not what a Day May Bring Forth. "
Prov. xxvii. 1.--"Boast not thyself of to morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." As man is naturally given to boasting and gloriation in something (for the heart cannot want some object to rest upon and take complacency in, it is framed with such a capacity of employing other things), so there is a strong inclination in man towards the time to come, he hath an immortal appetite, and an appetite of immortality; and therefore his desires usually stretch farther than the present …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life "And Watch unto Prayer. "
1 Pet. iv. 7.--"And watch unto prayer." "Watch." A Christian should watch. A Christian is a watchman by office. This duty of watchfulness is frequently commanded and commended in scripture, Matt. xxiv. 42, Mark xiii. 33, 1 Cor. xvi. 13, Eph. vi. 18, 1 Pet. v. 8, Col. iv. 2; Luke xii. 37. David did wait as they that did watch for the morning light. The ministers of the gospel are styled watchmen in scripture and every Christian should be to himself as a minister is to his flock, he should watch over …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Proverbs 6:12 NIVProverbs 6:12 NLTProverbs 6:12 ESVProverbs 6:12 NASBProverbs 6:12 KJV
Proverbs 6:12 Commentaries
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