Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 13:2, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
American Standard Version
A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth; But the soul of the treacherous [shall eat] violence.
World English Bible version
By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things; but the unfaithful crave violence.
Proverbs 13:2 Meaning & Commentary
From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence. Proverbs 13:2 (ESV)
The power of words is evident throughout The Bible. We carry great power in our words, and we can choose to “eat” from them or not. A good man should speak words of life that bear good fruit, and then we can “eat” that fruit in our lives.
Not only can we produce good fruit from our words, but we can also speak death into our lives and circumstances if we choose to: Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
The second part of Proverbs 13:2 says that the desire of the treacherous is for violence. The word “treacherous” refers to someone who deceives another person, betrays someone, or is unreliable or untrustworthy. Violence is an outward expression of inward emotions. No one simply acts out violence or desires to see violence manifest in some form or another if their heart is pure and they genuinely love God.
A treacherous and violent person needs the love of God in their hearts: 1 John 4:20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. How can someone say that they love God, and yet hate their brother or sister? Further still, how can someone claim to have the love of God in their hearts, and yet live a “treacherous” life – seeking violence or wishing ill on other people?
Knowing the power of words, we have the ability to speak death over other people as well. So, treachery may not necessarily manifest in physical violence, but it could manifest in strong and intense negative emotions which then fuel our words and release death over other people!
Application
How can we practically apply Proverbs 13:2 to our lives?
The two key points touched on in Proverbs 13:2 is the power of words, and the importance of our heart condition. Why do we say the heart condition and not the action of violence, or the thoughts or treachery? It is simply because if we deal correctly with the root, the fruit will take care of itself: Matthew 7:16-18 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.
As believers in Jesus Christ, if we have been born again – The Bible tells us that the love of God has been deposited into our lives through The Holy Spirit: 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.
So, we need to realize and grasp the truth that we do have the ability to love others. As we walk with God, we develop more and more of his fruit in our lives, and eventually we become Christlike and bear fruit that brings glory to God. We “cast off” or “put aside” the works of the flesh by walking with God and spending time with Him and practicing spiritual disciplines: Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
When our hearts are right, our words will take care of themselves, as will our actions! No one is too far from God’s transforming power. Paul the apostle used to persecute Christians, and yet God transformed his life and he wrote almost two-thirds of The New Testament: Acts 8:3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your word which always inspires and challenges me. Thank You that your love has been shed abroad in my heart by The Holy Spirt and therefore I can love everyone around me.
I commit today to spend more time with you – in word and in prayer, so that I may grown even deeper in my walk with You. I commit this to you right now in Jesus’ name. Amen!
