He who winks the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come to ruin. He who winks the eye causes grief,Winking the eye portrays concealed malice and covert cooperation in evil. Proverbs 6:12–14 likewise describes a corrupt person who signals with his eyes while devising trouble in his heart. Secretive deceit injures its victims, spreads distrust, and often draws others into sin. God calls His people to walk openly in truth, with motives and conduct that can endure His searching judgment. Psa 35:19 Let not my enemies gloat over me without cause,… and foolish lips will come to ruin. Reckless, deceitful, and boastful speech exposes the folly within the heart and finally brings destruction upon the speaker. Words can wound families, divide communities, and damage a person’s standing before others. Proverbs repeatedly joins wisdom with truthful, restrained speech, while James warns that an uncontrolled tongue can spread great harm. Christ, who is truth, calls His followers to speak with integrity and to give account for every careless word. Pro 18:7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips… Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonThe author of Proverbs, known for his wisdom, who compiled these sayings to impart practical and moral guidance. 2. The Wise and the Foolish The primary subjects of the Proverbs, representing those who follow God's wisdom versus those who reject it. 3. Ancient Israel The cultural and historical context in which these proverbs were written, emphasizing community living and moral conduct. Teaching Points The Deceptive Nature of SinWinking the eye symbolizes subtle deceit. In Hebrew, the word for "winks" (qarats) implies a secretive, malicious intent. Christians are called to live transparently and truthfully. The Consequences of Foolish Speech The phrase "foolish lips will come to ruin" warns against careless or deceitful words. The Hebrew word for "foolish" (eviyl) often denotes moral deficiency. Believers should strive for speech that edifies and reflects God's truth. Integrity in Relationships This proverb underscores the importance of honesty in our interactions. Deceptive actions can cause grief and damage trust, while integrity builds strong, godly relationships. Guarding the Heart and Tongue The heart's condition often manifests in speech and actions. Christians are encouraged to guard their hearts and tongues, aligning them with God's wisdom. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the act of "winking the eye" relate to modern forms of deceit, and what are some practical ways to avoid such behavior in our daily lives?2. In what ways can "foolish lips" manifest in our speech today, and how can we cultivate speech that aligns with biblical wisdom? 3. Reflect on a time when deceitful actions caused grief in your life or the life of someone you know. How could the situation have been handled differently with integrity? 4. How does the teaching in Proverbs 10:10 connect with Jesus' teachings on honesty and integrity in the Sermon on the Mount? 5. What steps can you take to ensure that your heart and speech reflect the wisdom and truth of God in your relationships and community? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 6:12-14This passage also discusses the deceitful person who winks with the eye, highlighting the destructive nature of such behavior. James 3:5-6 James speaks about the power of the tongue, connecting to the idea of "foolish lips" leading to ruin. Matthew 5:37 Jesus teaches about honesty and integrity in speech, which contrasts with the deceitful actions described in Proverbs 10:10.
People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Babbling, Boldly, Cause, Causes, Causeth, Chattering, Errors, Eye, Fall, Fool, Giveth, Grief, Kicketh, Makes, Maliciously, Peace, Prating, Reproves, Ruin, Ruined, Signs, Sorrow, Talkative, Trouble, Winketh, Winking, WinksDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 10:10Library The Two-Fold Aspect of the Divine Working'The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.'--PROVERBS x. 29. You observe that the words 'shall be,' in the last clause, are a supplement. They are quite unnecessary, and in fact they rather hinder the sense. They destroy the completeness of the antithesis between the two halves of the verse. If you leave them out, and suppose that the 'way of the Lord' is what is spoken of in both clauses, you get a far deeper and fuller meaning. 'The way … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Folly of Slander. Part 1. The Folly of Slander. Part 2. Sanctions of Moral Law, Natural and Governmental. The Desire of the Righteous Granted; Lii. Trust in God. The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles and of this Miracle of Miracles - views of Negative Criticism on this History The Christian's Hope Letter xxxi (A. D. 1132) to the Abbot of a Certain Monastery at York, from which the Prior had Departed, Taking Several Religious with Him. The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven: How the Simple and the Crafty are to be Admonished. Letter xv (Circa A. D. 1129) to Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin Jesus Heals Multitudes Beside the Sea of Galilee. How the Silent and the Talkative are to be Admonished. "But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, and his Righteousness, and all These Things Shall be Added unto You. " Proverbs Links Proverbs 10:10 NIVProverbs 10:10 NLT Proverbs 10:10 ESV Proverbs 10:10 NASB Proverbs 10:10 KJV Proverbs 10:10 Commentaries Bible Hub |



