What does "bad, bad" reveal about human nature in Proverbs 20:14? The Proverb in Focus “ ‘Bad, bad!’ says the buyer, but when he has gone his way, then he boasts.” (Proverbs 20:14) Marketplace Snapshot • Ancient bargaining was expected, yet God’s Word spotlights the heart attitude behind it. • The buyer pretends the goods are worthless (“bad, bad”) to drive the price down, then brags about his bargain once he’s out of earshot. Key Observations • The words “bad, bad” are not an honest evaluation but a tactic of deception. • The boasting afterward unmasks true motives—self-exaltation and greed. • The proverb is a single-verse case study demonstrating how sin can hide behind ordinary commerce. What It Reveals about Human Nature • Innate bent toward deceit – Jeremiah 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure; who can understand it?” • Self-interest over neighbor’s good – Philippians 2:4: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” • Pride in getting an advantage – James 4:16: “As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.” • Willingness to manipulate facts when no immediate accountability is felt – Psalm 36:1–2: “There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.” • Universal reach of sin – Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Practical Takeaways • Integrity matters as much in routine transactions as in overtly “spiritual” arenas. • Honest speech reflects trust in God’s provision rather than manipulation for gain. • Guard the heart before, during, and after any deal—sin shows up in the bargaining (“bad, bad”) and in the boasting (“look what I scored”). • Contentment and love of neighbor replace the urge to exploit (1 Timothy 6:6; Romans 13:10). Scripture Cross-References • Leviticus 19:35–36—God demands honest weights and measures. • Micah 6:11—Condemnation of those who use “dishonest scales.” • Matthew 7:12—The Golden Rule applied to commerce. • Colossians 3:9—“Do not lie to one another.” The brief phrase “bad, bad” pulls back the curtain on the fallen human heart: quick to deceive, eager to profit, proud to brag—yet all of it exposed by the light of God’s unchanging truth. |
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