Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 10:32, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.
American Standard Version
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable; But the mouth of the wicked [speaketh] perverseness.
World English Bible version
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.
Proverbs 10:32 Meaning & Commentary
When The Bible talks about lips, speech, mouth, or words, these are all interchangeable and refer to the words people speak out of their mouths. The Bible is very clear about the power of our words: Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. We can speak words that will cause death or life to take place. The book of James even warns us that we can speak blessings or curses over people’s lives: James 3:10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
The Bible says in Proverbs 10:32 that the lips of a righteous person know what is acceptable. This refers to speaking the right thing at the right time and appropriately. Have you ever heard someone say something wildly inappropriate at the wrong time, which caused destruction and harm? This is like the wicked person in this verse; their mouth speaks what is perverse and improper at the wrong time. They are not able to discern what is inappropriate and unacceptable to say. On the other hand, the righteous person knows what to say and when to say it.
Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. A righteous person speaks what is acceptable (or good) at the right time to build others up and bring glory to God. Their words are “seasoned with salt.” A wicked person speaks the opposite way, and their words could cause a trail of destruction and pain behind them!
Application
How can we practically apply Proverbs 10:32 to our lives?
There are a few practical applications here. Firstly, we would do well to remind ourselves of the power of our words. Not only to bring life but, more importantly, to bring death and destruction to other people’s lives. Jesus warned us that we would need to account for the words that we speak: Matthew 12:37-38 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned.”
This is a somber warning not only to be reminded that our words carry power, but even more so to be very careful and cautious about what we release from our mouths, and make sure it is “acceptable” as Proverbs 10:32 says. Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. So, as much as inappropriate words can cause harm, good and gracious words have the power to build people up. Therefore, we need to speak encouraging words in love that can build up other people. If we are unsure what to say in a particular situation or a specific instance, the best thing to do is to say nothing!
This is another principle taught in the book of Proverbs: Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. So, our speech should either build others up or stay quiet and say nothing. We can ensure we speak words that edify and build others up by what we take into our hearts. We are to set our face towards wisdom and seek after God. If we do this, what we speak out of our mouths will glorify God and build up those around us!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me of the power of my words once again. I ask that you help me always to remember this. Please help me to restrain my words when I have nothing good to say and rather keep quiet. I desire only to speak words that will bring life to those around me and build others up. I pray and ask that you would grant me Wisdom, understanding, and insight so that when I open my mouth, this may flow forth from me to others. I ask this in Jesus’s name. Amen!
