What Does Proverbs Say For Today Part 16

 

What Does Proverbs Say For Today Part 16

 

Cruel and Deceit

 

¹ Cruel = adj without mercy or pity; ready to give pain to others.

Cruelty = n. the state of being cruel, ruthlessness; a cruel act.

² Deceit = fraud, guile (1) Villainous and unjust conduct, carried on under a fair show. (2) Vain pretences and devices, calculated to impose upon and deceive men.

 

“Therefore hear me now, my children, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Lest you give your honor (vigor) to others, and your years to the cruel one. The merciful man does good for his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh. The wicked man does deceptive work, but he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward. A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. The thoughts of the righteous are right, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but counselors of peace have joy. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of fools is deceit. A true witness delivers (saves lives) souls, but a deceitful witness speaks lies. An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him. Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, for would you deceive (LXX, Vg. do not deceive) with your lips? Like a mad man who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, ‘I was only joking!’ He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself; when he speaks kindly (Lit. his voice is gracious), do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly. Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy? Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both. Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.” (Proverbs 5:7,9; 11:17-18; 12:5, 10, 17, 20; 14:8, 25; 17:11; 20:1, 17; 24:28; 26:18-19, 24-26; 27:4-6; 29:13; 31:30)

 

Cruelty and deceitfulness are the fruit of wickedness and evil. Their thoughts, words and acts will be judged, Psalm 64:1-8 reveals, “Hear my voice, O GOD, in my meditation (complaint); preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the rebellion of the workers of iniquity, who sharpen their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows—bitter words, that they may shoot in secret at the blameless; suddenly they shoot at him and do not fear. They encourage themselves in an evil matter; they talk of laying snares secretly; they say, ‘Who will see them?’ They devise iniquities: ‘We have perfected a shrewd scheme.’ Both the inward thought and the heart of man are deep. But GOD shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly they shall be wounded. So He will make them stumble over their own tongue; all who see them shall flee away.” In Romans 1:28-32 Paul tells us, “And even as they did not like to retain GOD in their knowledge, GOD gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality (NU omits sexual immorality), wickedness, covetousness (greed), maliciousness (malice); full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of GOD, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning (without understanding), untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving (NU omits unforgiving), unmerciful;  who, knowing the righteous judgment of GOD, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” “Beware lest anyone cheat you (Lit. plunder you or take you captive) through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to CHRIST.” Colossians 2:8. Also study Proverbs 23:1-3; Matthew 26:47-50; Ephesians 5:1-7.