What is the meaning of Proverbs 12:19? Truthful lips endure forever “Truthful lips endure forever” (Proverbs 12:19a) highlights the lasting power of honesty. • Truth aligns with the very character of God, “a God of faithfulness, without injustice” (Deuteronomy 32:4). • What is spoken in truth remains reliable; it does not need to be retracted or amended. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35), showing that truth carries an eternal quality. • Truthful speech builds trust and stability in relationships. Psalm 15:1-3 describes the one “who speaks the truth from his heart” as secure in God’s dwelling forever. • In the long view, truth outlives opposition and persecution. Peter reminds believers that “the word of the Lord stands forever” (1 Peter 1:24-25), echoing the timelessness promised here. but a lying tongue lasts only a moment “...but a lying tongue lasts only a moment” (Proverbs 12:19b) warns that deceit is short-lived. • Lies may gain quick advantages, yet they unravel. Proverbs 19:5 assures, “A false witness will not go unpunished,” signaling that consequences are inevitable. • Deception destroys credibility; once uncovered, it leaves a lasting stain. Psalm 52:4-5 depicts God uprooting the deceitful from the land of the living. • Lies invite divine judgment. Ananias and Sapphira’s story in Acts 5:1-11 shows how swiftly God can expose falsehood. • The “moment” in Solomon’s proverb underscores the fleeting nature of lying compared to the permanence of truth. “The lamp of the wicked is snuffed out” (Proverbs 13:9), but it is the lie itself that burns out first. summary Proverbs 12:19 contrasts the enduring strength of truth with the short shelf life of deceit. Speak honestly, and your words share in the permanence of God’s own truth; choose falsehood, and whatever gain you hoped for will vanish as quickly as the lie itself. |
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