Proverbs 10:18 sets the stage for dealing with one of the hardest, and most powerful truths any of us could ever deal with. That is found in Proverbs 10:19-21: the tongue and lips. To begin setting the stage, for the contrast between right and wrong type of tongues and lips, Proverbs 10:18 has two negatives, rather than a contrast. What do we find?

 

The first thing we find that whoever hides hatred has lying lips. Lying is not necessarily speaking a false statement, but it is also not speaking as well. Lying can be the hiding of the truth by word, or by lack of words. In this case, lying lips of this individual hides hatred. This hiding means to conceal, or to cover. A great example for this word is found in Psalm 32:1. The idea of covering is used a lot in the Old Testament and to exhaust the whole thing, would be a major study in of itself. What is this individual hiding? hatred.

 

Hatred is defined as hatred of man and of God but this word is only used seventeen times. We have covered this when we covered Proverbs 10:12, for example. But such passages as Proverbs 139:22; Psalm 109:3 also show the strength of the word and how it is used. The word itself also focuses on the intensity of this action. This hatred can be hidden but why? In our text, this hatred seems to be aimed at others around this individual. We know this because of the second part. The Bible delves deeper into this hatred and lying throughout the pages. Look at this description in Proverbs 26:24-26. Not a nice individual.

 

Then we look at the second part. This part takes this hatred a little further. They spread slander. Defamation is a word to fit here. But it also has the idea of the whisper, the evil report, or nasty saying. Only used nine times in the Old Testament, it is never put in a positive light. We can evaluate this ourselves in such passages as Genesis 37:2; Numbers 13:32; 14:36-37; Psalm 31:13; Proverbs 25:10; Jeremiah 20:10; Ezekiel 36:3. This is the spreading of rumors and gossip that is meant to be malicious and evil at its core.

 

The Bible says nothing good about those who do this. In Psalm 15:3, those who do thee things will not be in the dwelling place of the Lord. In Psalm 50:20, those who do these things do not have the right to then turn around and say or speak the things of God. Lastly, in Psalm 101:5, God will destroy those who do this.

 

This call is very important. For going deeper into Proverbs, we are going to see the effect and affect the lips and tongue have in connection to this concept. But how do we stand, dear reader? Is it something we engage in and do? Or are we on the other side? Do we speak with grace, and humility? We must be aware of our communication for it can be a powerful tool for good, but also evil.