Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 10:31, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
American Standard Version
The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom; But the perverse tongue shall be cut off.
World English Bible version
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
Proverbs 10:31 Meaning & Commentary
The Bible uses three words interchangeably: the mouth, the tongue, and words. These all refer to the same thing, the words we speak out of our mouths. The Bible is clear that our words carry tremendous power in them: Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. So, not only do our words carry the power to bring about life and death in our lives and other people’s lives, but the mouth of a righteous person brings forth wisdom.
Why, or how could this be? It is because what we have inside of our hearts comes out of our mouths, as Jesus taught: Matthew 15:18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. What is in our hearts comes out of our mouths. A wise person has wisdom in his heart; therefore, when he speaks, he will bring forth wisdom from the abundance of his heart. Proverbs 10:31 tells us that the perverse tongue will be cut off, which is symbolic that it is useless and of no good and brings forth nothing good. You do not cut off something which bears good fruit and is useful, so we know that the perverse tongue bears no good fruit but is good for nothing but to be cut off, symbolically speaking – Not literally.
If what is in our hearts comes out of our mouths, then the perverse tongue means that there is a perverse heart as well. The tongue and what is in the heart are inexplicably linked and cannot be separated from each other. It’s impossible to have someone who is foolish in their thinking and has a perverse heart bring wisdom forth, and likewise, a person who is full of wisdom and good sense will not bring forth foolishness and perverseness out of their mouth.
Application
How then can we practically apply Proverbs 10:31 to our lives?
There is a two-fold application here. One is focused on ourselves, and one is focused on those around us. Firstly, we need to watch our words and select our words very carefully. We all go through times when we feel frustrated, annoyed, or angry. This is when we risk speaking words out of our mouth that we could regret saying and having a “perverse” tongue, as The Bible calls it. We need to exercise restraint and rather not speak if we have nothing good to release out of our mouth: Proverbs 29:11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
The Bible invites us to seek God for Wisdom, and we should fully expect that he will answer us and grant wisdom to us: James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. The theme of wisdom is strongly emphasized in the book of Proverbs, and a high value is placed on it: Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
So, as we seek God for wisdom, it will come into our hearts, and when we speak, what is in our hearts will be released out of our mouths, and wisdom will flow forth, and perverseness will no longer be in our speech. Secondly, we need to be mindful about who we surround ourselves with. The people around us can either be a source of wisdom and help us grow, or their words can have a negative impact on us, either by speaking words of death over us or even by their speech being foolish and negative, which can impact our life and way of thinking!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come to you now in Jesus’ name and ask you for wisdom. I thank you that your word is clear: if we ask for wisdom, you will surely give it to us. Help me to remove perverseness and foolishness from my heart and my tongue so that I may speak words of wisdom and life to those around me. I pray and ask that you surround me with wise people so I may receive wisdom from them. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen!
