Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 13:17, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
American Standard Version
A wicked messenger falleth into evil; But a faithful ambassador is health.
World English Bible version
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy gains healing.
Proverbs 13:17 Meaning & Commentary
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing. Proverbs 13:17 (ESV)
Let’s look at another version of this verse from The Message Bible, which makes it a little easier to understand:
Proverbs 13:17 Irresponsible talk makes a real mess of things, but a reliable reporter is a healing presence. If there is something that has the power to create a terrible mess of things, it is careless words spoken.
The book of James gives us a clear picture of what harm or devastation an uncontrolled tongue can bring:
James 3:4-6 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
What is devastating about a tongue that is not controlled is that multiple parties are affected when it is “let loose.” The person who speaks the words (if they are a believer) carries the power of life and death in their tongue:
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Words not only carry power in them, but they have the potential to put us into situations we may not want to be in:
Proverbs 18:6 A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.
A faithful envoy brings peace, love, kindness, and words that build up and encourage others! It is a privilege and honor to be an “envoy of healing,” sharing the love of God and bringing healing to others. Paul the Apostle was a faithful envoy who emitted “the aroma of Christ”:
2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
Application
How can we practically apply Proverbs 13:17 to our lives?
We need to know and understand what we carry inside of us. We have God’s spirit and presence inside us:
1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
Because God’s Spirit lives inside of us, He has poured His love in our hearts: Romans 5:5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
As we walk with God, we will develop the fruit of The Spirit in our lives: Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
When we carry God’s Spirit in us and develop the fruit of The Spirit in our lives, we can be a “faithful envoy” who brings healing to the world around us. We need to choose to be such a person, though. How do we practically do it? There are so many ways; however, small acts of love, kindness, and generosity go a long way! We need to remember the “golden rule” that Jesus taught us:
Matthew 22:37-38 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.
Instead of being a wicked messenger or the mouthpiece of satan – we can be the mouth of God, bringing healing and life and “dispersing” the love of God wherever we go!
As The Bible says, we are ambassadors of Christ: 2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
An ambassador is one who represents another. Therefore, as we go about our daily lives, let’s choose to represent Christ well, spread his love and kind words, and be a “faithful envoy” who brings healing to others!
Prayer
Mighty God, I thank You for this incredible privilege to be an ambassador of Christ. Help me to represent Christ well in all I do and say. I ask that you surround me with people who need your love and healing power.
I pray and ask that Your Kingdom come and that Your will be done in my life. I surrender my life to you today, so I can be a vessel in your hands. I pray this all in Jesus’ name. Amen!
