Proverbs 10:31-32. 31The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. 32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.
Twice here Solomon warns against perverse speech. This isn’t about perverted speech (though that may be part of it). The word perverse means twisted or crooked. The person who uses perverse speech is trying to trick, confuse, or lie to others. Maybe it’s just a little white lie, or a small deception to cover over embarrassment, or to make it seem like we are further along than we really are. Either way it’s twisted.
But the problem isn’t just the twisted things we say, is it? The perverse mouth comes from a wicked heart. No one is accidently perverse when they talk. No one deceives others without wanting to. We talk this way because we started with bad intentions. We want to hurt someone or make them look foolish. But, in reality, the only fool is the person who is using such twisted talk.
Of course, the king of perverse speech is Satan himself. Everything he says is twisted. Half-truths mixed with half-lies. His fiery darts of deception are aimed at our hearts, making us feel guilty and ashamed for things that the blood of Christ has already forgiven and forgotten. And what do we so often do with that shame? We turn around and aim it at others, becoming the very thing that we hate – a judgmental accuser of the brethren.
Do you twist things around when you talk? Do you intentionally try to confuse others? Do you find yourself struggling in relationships to be able to be yourself and live authentically with people? Do you have a perverse tongue? Do you struggle to be honest and forthright?
The words we speak are the most powerful thing we possess and use every day. Our words either give life or they bring death. They will either be cut off, or they will take root and bring flourishing to another person’s soul. The righteous person, the person in Christ, knows the difference because they are living the difference. Instead of what is perverse, the righteous person knows what is acceptable to say. How can we know what is acceptable? The Apostle Paul gives us a list:
Philippians 4:8. brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
These are the things that Christ says to us by the Spirit, and, Christian, these are the things we can and should say to others. It starts with thinking on the things of Christ. His truth. His honor. His justice. His purity. His love. His praiseworthiness. His excellence. From the untwisted mind of Christ in us to the untwisted tongue of Christ in us. That is the journey of a word fitly spoken.
In Christ there is no need to twist, to deceive, to manipulate. Whatever we think we are gaining or protecting with our perverse words, is already gained and secured in Christ. May we therefore work hard to untwist our words just as Jesus has done everything to untwist our hearts with his imputed righteousness.
You: Have you used any twisted, crooked, or perverse words today?
You in Christ: In Christ you have the power you need to untwist your words. Do you believe this?
Christ in you: How does the mind affect what we say? How can thinking on Christ make our words straight rather than crooked?
Pray: Jesus, I want my words to reflect who you are and what you say to me. Help me to meditate on who you are and then turn those thoughts into words about you. Amen.
To Live is Christ 