Proverbs 17:4 A wicked doer gives heed to false lips; and a liar gives ear to a naughty tongue.
The path of the wicked is not only shaped by evil deeds but also by the company and counsel he keeps. He lends his ear to lies, welcomes corruption into his heart, and walks in agreement with the crooked. Wickedness is rarely solitary; it grows in the soil of falsehood and is fed by voices that oppose truth.
Four great sins: [1] Lying – a lying tongue is but for a moment (12:19). Lying is the foundation of many evils. A wicked man not only lies but loves it. He prefers the comfort of a flattering falsehood over the sting of saving truth. The Scripture warns that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but they that deal truly are His delight (12:22). To lie is to speak in the native tongue of satan, the “father of lies” (John 8:44). Every false word spoken is a wound against trust, truth and the image of God in man. [2] Deceit – the heart is deceitful above all things” (Jer. 17:9). Deceit is more subtle than lying; it is the art of leading others astray with half-truths, silence, or misdirection. It wears the mask of innocence while plotting harm. The wicked do not only fall into deceit, they use it as a tool. Psalm 5:6 says, “The Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.” Deceit destroys relationships, erodes justice, and cloaks evil under the pretence of good. To be continued…
Living the Word 