Proverbs 6:13 on deceitful behavior?
How does Proverbs 6:13 describe the behavior of a deceitful person?

The Verse

Proverbs 6:13: “He winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, and motions with his fingers.”


Breaking Down the Verse

• Winks with his eyes

– Uses sly facial cues to conceal true intentions or signal secret schemes.

– Conveys complicity without speaking, reinforcing covert plans (cf. Proverbs 10:10).

• Signals with his feet

– Shifts or points the feet to direct others’ attention secretly.

– Suggests readiness to move toward mischief, hinting at hidden coordination (Psalm 36:4).

• Motions with his fingers

– Employs subtle hand signs to manipulate situations or people.

– Turns ordinary gestures into tools of deception, masking evil under everyday movements (Proverbs 16:27-28).


Connecting Scriptures

Proverbs 10:10: “He who winks the eye causes grief…”—reinforces the link between hidden gestures and harm.

Psalm 35:19: “…those who hate me without cause wink maliciously.”

Matthew 12:34-35: A deceitful heart inevitably overflows into outward actions, even if they seem minor.

James 3:6: The smallest members (tongue, gestures) can set the course of a life on fire when guided by evil.


What This Shows Us About Deceitful Behavior

• Deceit often hides in the ordinary—facial expressions, body language, casual signals.

• A corrupt heart leaks into every movement; nothing remains morally neutral when sin rules within (Proverbs 6:14).

• The verse calls for vigilance: discern not just words but patterns of conduct that betray hidden motives.


Nurturing an Honest Heart

• Invite Scripture’s light to expose subtle forms of manipulation (Psalm 139:23-24).

• Commit to transparency in speech and action, rejecting even “harmless” gestures that mask truth (Ephesians 4:25).

• Seek accountability; trusted believers help identify habits we may overlook (Proverbs 27:17).

What is the meaning of Proverbs 6:13?
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