Proverbs 12:13-14 - The Good Fruit of Righteous Speech

Proverbs 12:13-14

¹³ An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
But the righteous will escape from trouble.
¹⁴ A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words,
And the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him.

Message: The Good Fruit of Righteous Speech

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

What an interesting passage as I am dealing with personnel issues at work that stem in large part to the words that are being said.

It is interesting that verse 13 doesn't say a man is ensnared, but says an evil man. It is contrasting the evil and the righteous. A man that sins with his lips is an evil man and will be caught or brought into trouble by the wickedness of his words. But the righteous will escape from trouble. Thus the righteous man who is wise, inoffensive, and holy with his words, whereby he pacifies man and pleases God, will be favored and protected because of his words.

Verse 14 looks at a mans words bearing fruit contrasting it with his deeds. Thus a man's words when they are pious and profitable discourses will bear fruit. And the work of his hands will naturally follow. This man will make good friends.

Promise: We cannot underestimate the value of a good word.