What are the consequences of a "perverse tongue" according to Proverbs 17:20? The Verse at a Glance “He who has a crooked heart finds no good, and one with a perverse tongue falls into trouble.” (Proverbs 17:20) What Scripture Means by a “Perverse Tongue” • Twisted, dishonest, or misleading speech • Words that intentionally distort truth or sow confusion (Proverbs 6:12) • Gossip, slander, crude joking, or flattery meant to manipulate (Ephesians 4:29) Direct Consequences Named in Proverbs 17:20 • “Falls into trouble” – inevitable personal turmoil, whether legal, relational, or spiritual • The phrase signals more than an occasional mishap; it describes a pattern of sliding into calamity because of one’s own words Ripple Effects Seen Elsewhere in Scripture • Breaks the spirit of those who hear (Proverbs 15:4) • Snares the speaker’s own soul (Proverbs 18:7) • Kindles destructive fires that spread beyond the initial words (James 3:6) • Hinders prayers and fellowship with God (Psalm 66:18; 1 Peter 3:10-12) Why Trouble Is Unavoidable • God has fixed moral cause-and-effect into His creation; speech that opposes truth collides with that order • Relationships built on deceit eventually collapse (Proverbs 10:18) • The Lord Himself resists lying lips (Proverbs 12:22) Healthy Alternatives to a Perverse Tongue • Speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) • Guard words carefully, knowing we will give account (Matthew 12:36) • Choose speech that edifies, giving grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29) • Saturate the heart with God’s Word; “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45) Key Takeaways • A perverse tongue is not a harmless habit; it is a self-destructive path that Scripture declares will end in repeated trouble. • God’s design for speech is life-giving honesty, so aligning our words with His truth protects us and blesses others. |
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