Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 11:9, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
American Standard Version
With his mouth the godless man destroyeth his neighbor; But through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered.
World English Bible version
With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.
Proverbs 11:9 Meaning & Commentary
We see it over and over in The Bible that our words carry great power. We can use our words to either bring harm or life. We can speak life or death with our mouths: Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. We see elsewhere in The Bible that the word or the tongue is compared to a weapon: Psalm 64:2-3 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers, who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows…and Jeremiah 9:8 Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully.
This is how the godless man can destroy his neighbor through the words that he speaks out of his mouth. This could either be through ignorance – Speaking words against someone, not knowing the power that those words carry, or even by purposefully speaking evil words against someone and bringing a curse upon that person. James 3:10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Words have the power to speak a curse over someone’s life! Provers 11:9 goes on to say that the righteous are delivered by knowledge.
We also know that a lack of knowledge can cause people to be destroyed and suffer harm: Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…Knowledge brings light, and without it, there is ignorance or darkness; where there is ignorance or darkness, there will be bondage, captivity, or lack of progress. By acquiring knowledge, we begin to shine God’s light into areas of our lives where we may have previously been walking in darkness. Whether we are ignorant about the power of our words, how to break curses spoken over our lives, or any other matter, where we begin to acquire knowledge, we are setting ourselves up to progress, walk in freedom, and be delivered.
Application
How can we practically apply Proverbs 11:9 to our lives?
There are a few practical ways we can apply this verse to our lives. As we are reminded once again of the power our words carry, we must be careful about what we say or how we say it. This applies to words spoken over other people but also to words spoken over our own lives. We need to step back and watch what we say, our hearts, and what we think. What we think and feel tends to come out of our mouths: Luke 6:45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
In times of frustration and anger, and when we may be feeling down, it is better to say nothing but instead, keep quiet: Proverbs 29:11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. Before Jesus was about to go to the cross, he found his soul troubled, but he was very mindful about what he would say, not necessarily what he was thinking or feeling, only: John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.
In tough times, we need to watch what we say over our lives or the other lives of others. Another very practical application of Proverbs 11:9 is to constantly learn and acquire knowledge. As we do this, we will walk in victory and go from strength to strength in every area of our lives!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank you for reminding me of the power of my words again. I pray and ask that my mouth will only be a channel of blessing over my life and the lives of others. Help me to watch my words and to hold my spirit back when I may be tempted to give full vent to it. I ask that you give me a hunger and a desire for knowledge like never before.
I also pray for understanding and wisdom so I can walk in victory in every area of my life and be delivered from every situation and circumstance that may threaten to overtake me. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen!
