Wisdom of Solomon's Proverbs, 228 Ladean Court, Simpsonville, SC (2026)

09/27/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟐𝟕:𝟏𝟒

𝐇𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐦.

When is a blessing a curse? When it is flattery! Pay no attention to excessive blessings, compliments, or praise. It is actually a curse, for there is a false or foolish motive behind it (Pr 26:24-28; 29:5). The person has already deceived you, or he is about to deceive you. Godly men are not moved by flattery, nor do they manipulate others with flattery.

The man here praises his friend with a loud voice. What does this sound level tell you about him? It indicates an insincere display rather than a holy and noble compliment. He intends for the friend and others also to hear the blessing. The loud praise is excessive, because it is flattery. His blessing is for other than friendly and sincere encouragement.

He rises early in the morning to praise his friend. What does this timing tell you about the blessing? It indicates a compliment and praise out of place and proportion, for there are other more important things to be done in the morning. The untimely praise is excessive, because it is flattery. His blessing is for other than friendly and sincere encouragement.

The flattery here is between friends. If an enemy used a loud voice early in the morning to praise you, it would be easy to know it was false and dangerous (Ps 5:8-10). But when it is between friends, it is much harder to see its danger (Pr 29:5). Wise men, who value sober warnings, will steel themselves against excessive compliments, even from friends.

God hates flattery. Flattery is a compliment or praise to get another person to believe or do something wrong. It is a trait of depraved men (Ps 5:9). Wh**es use it to seduce men (Pr 6:24; 7:21), and Israel used it to secure God’s deliverance from enemies (Ps 78:34-37). God will cut off all flatterers and blind their children (Job 17:5; Ps 12:1-3)!

Good men will not give flattering titles to men (Job 32:21-22), though very popular in religion (Matt 23:6-12). Some ministers use “Reverend” or “Father” to obtain flattery from others. Paul never used flattery when in Thessalonica, which is quite contrary to the manipulating and stroking teachers so popular today (I Thess 2:5). True ministers will not flatter: they will name sins, name names, and take no prisoners (II Cor 10:4-6)!

In a marketing era, image is more important than content, appearance than performance, and perception than reality, so it is easy to approve flattery. Sanguines have the temperament for it; salesmen are taught to do it. Rather than objectively present a product by its factual merits, they promote things with loud flattery and feigned friendliness. Compliments from a salesman about any personal matters are manifestly insincere.

Talk is cheap. Wise men ignore most bad things said about them (Eccl 7:21-22), and they ignore all good things said about them (Pr 27:14,21). One act of true kindness is more meaningful than many exuberant blessings. Correction and rebuke are far more valuable for prosperity and success than any compliment. It is a duty for saints to think soberly of themselves, but this is hard to do, if you enjoy the praise of men (Pr 29:5; Rom 12:3).

Saul flattered David by offering him his two daughters, intending to use the bait to kill him by the Philistines (I Sam 18:17-25). Absalom flattered the men of Israel to steal their loyalty from his father David, king of Israel (II Sam 15:1-6). The citizens of Tyre and Sidon flattered Herod, but God had him eaten by worms for accepting it (Acts 12:21-23).

All praise is not sin. Praise to get a person to believe or do something wrong is sin. Jesus commended His disciples (Luke 22:28). Paul mentioned a fellow believer, who was praised in all the churches (II Cor 8:18). Paul praised Corinth (I Cor 11:2). Paul praised Timothy (Phil 2:19-22). Paul listed many men and women for honor and praise in the churches (Rom 16:1-15). And both husband and children will praise the virtuous woman for her diligent and noble efforts (Pr 31:28-31). Subversive praise, or flattery, is sin.

Praise severely tests a man’s character (Pr 27:21). Most men are vulnerable to flattery, from men or women; they believe the praise is true, and they will compromise to get more of it (Pr 29:5). But a wise man will prefer the rebuke of a sincere friend above the kiss of an enemy (Pr 27:5-6). Jesus, the greatest example for you, did what He could to hinder praise and popularity (Mark 7:36). Make efforts to soon forget compliments but to well remember correction – the latter is far better for your perfection than the former.

https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-27/proverbs-27-14/

09/27/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟐𝟕:𝟏𝟒

𝐇𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐦.

🎧 Listen now: https://s3.amazonaws.com/letgodbetrue.audio/proverbs/27-14.mp3

When is a blessing a curse? When it is flattery! Pay no attention to excessive blessings, compliments, or praise. It is actually a curse, for there is a false or foolish motive behind it (Pr 26:24-28; 29:5). The person has already deceived you, or he is about to deceive you. Godly men are not moved by flattery, nor do they manipulate others with flattery.

The man here praises his friend with a loud voice. What does this sound level tell you about him? It indicates an insincere display rather than a holy and noble compliment. He intends for the friend and others also to hear the blessing. The loud praise is excessive, because it is flattery. His blessing is for other than friendly and sincere encouragement.

He rises early in the morning to praise his friend. What does this timing tell you about the blessing? It indicates a compliment and praise out of place and proportion, for there are other more important things to be done in the morning. The untimely praise is excessive, because it is flattery. His blessing is for other than friendly and sincere encouragement.

The flattery here is between friends. If an enemy used a loud voice early in the morning to praise you, it would be easy to know it was false and dangerous (Ps 5:8-10). But when it is between friends, it is much harder to see its danger (Pr 29:5). Wise men, who value sober warnings, will steel themselves against excessive compliments, even from friends.

God hates flattery. Flattery is a compliment or praise to get another person to believe or do something wrong. It is a trait of depraved men (Ps 5:9). Wh**es use it to seduce men (Pr 6:24; 7:21), and Israel used it to secure God’s deliverance from enemies (Ps 78:34-37). God will cut off all flatterers and blind their children (Job 17:5; Ps 12:1-3)!

Good men will not give flattering titles to men (Job 32:21-22), though very popular in religion (Matt 23:6-12). Some ministers use “Reverend” or “Father” to obtain flattery from others. Paul never used flattery when in Thessalonica, which is quite contrary to the manipulating and stroking teachers so popular today (I Thess 2:5). True ministers will not flatter: they will name sins, name names, and take no prisoners (II Cor 10:4-6)!

In a marketing era, image is more important than content, appearance than performance, and perception than reality, so it is easy to approve flattery. Sanguines have the temperament for it; salesmen are taught to do it. Rather than objectively present a product by its factual merits, they promote things with loud flattery and feigned friendliness. Compliments from a salesman about any personal matters are manifestly insincere.

Talk is cheap. Wise men ignore most bad things said about them (Eccl 7:21-22), and they ignore all good things said about them (Pr 27:14,21). One act of true kindness is more meaningful than many exuberant blessings. Correction and rebuke are far more valuable for prosperity and success than any compliment. It is a duty for saints to think soberly of themselves, but this is hard to do, if you enjoy the praise of men (Pr 29:5; Rom 12:3).

Saul flattered David by offering him his two daughters, intending to use the bait to kill him by the Philistines (I Sam 18:17-25). Absalom flattered the men of Israel to steal their loyalty from his father David, king of Israel (II Sam 15:1-6). The citizens of Tyre and Sidon flattered Herod, but God had him eaten by worms for accepting it (Acts 12:21-23).

All praise is not sin. Praise to get a person to believe or do something wrong is sin. Jesus commended His disciples (Luke 22:28). Paul mentioned a fellow believer, who was praised in all the churches (II Cor 8:18). Paul praised Corinth (I Cor 11:2). Paul praised Timothy (Phil 2:19-22). Paul listed many men and women for honor and praise in the churches (Rom 16:1-15). And both husband and children will praise the virtuous woman for her diligent and noble efforts (Pr 31:28-31). Subversive praise, or flattery, is sin.

Praise severely tests a man’s character (Pr 27:21). Most men are vulnerable to flattery, from men or women; they believe the praise is true, and they will compromise to get more of it (Pr 29:5). But a wise man will prefer the rebuke of a sincere friend above the kiss of an enemy (Pr 27:5-6). Jesus, the greatest example for you, did what He could to hinder praise and popularity (Mark 7:36). Make efforts to soon forget compliments but to well remember correction – the latter is far better for your perfection than the former.

Read the full commentary on our website:
https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-27/proverbs-27-14/

09/26/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟐𝟔:𝟐𝟒

𝐇𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐩 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐦;

Not every friend loves you. Some who say they love you are hiding hatred in wicked hearts. They dissemble, or pretend, to be your friends, and they lie to cover their evil thoughts and ambitions. But wise men learn this terrible deceitfulness and wickedness of human nature, and they protect themselves by not putting much stock in flattering words.

The larger context here is a 12-verse description of how wicked men destroy people and relationships (Pr 26:16-28). Solomon condemned meddling, deceitful jesting, talebearing, evil speaking, ensnaring, lying, and flattering. Because their deeds are so cruel, these wicked men generally hide their intentions under gestures of friendship and kind words.

The smaller context describes lying hypocrites, who pretend to be friends, but they have seven abominations in their hearts. The lesson is to not believe all you hear, especially flattering words of affection (Pr 26:25; 14:15; Jer 9:8; 12:6; Mic 7:1-6). For those who trust God and follow His wisdom, He will expose these liars and their hatred (Pr 26:26).

Only ignorant fools think men and women have good and honest hearts by nature. God has plainly declared that human hearts are desperately wicked (Jer 17:9). Their throats, tongues, lips, and mouths are all cruel and deadly (Rom 3:13-14). This is typical of ungodly men: “The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords” (Ps 55:21).

Consider Bible examples. Cain talked kindly to Abel, before killing him (Gen 4:8). Simeon and Levi planned a marriage, but only to slaughter a city (Gen 34:6-31). Joseph’s brothers comforted their father about Joseph, after selling him as a slave (Gen 37:31-36). King Saul flattered David and offered his daughters, but sought to destroy him (I Sam 18:17-29). Joab feigned kindness to Abner, but only to murder him (II Sam 3:27).

Absalom appeared content with Amnon, but only to kill him (II Sam 13:22-29). Absalom flattered Israel, but only for sedition (II Sam 15:1-6). Joab asked Amasa of his health, but only to kill him (II Sam 20:9-10). Herod spoke of worshipping Jesus, but had murder in his heart (Matt 2:1-18). Judas kissed the Lord, but only to betray Him (Matt 26:47-50).

Wise men learn to be deaf to flattery and praise and attentive to rebukes (Pr 2:16; 6:24; 7:5; 20:19; 29:5). They know open rebuke is better than secret love (Pr 27:5; 28:23). They prefer the wounds of a friend than the kisses of an enemy (Pr 27:6; Ps 141:5). They know there is little profit in receiving praise, and it can lead to much harm (Pr 26:28).

Measure all men by the fear of the Lord. Where there is little or no fear of God visible, you should not fully trust that person. The rule is easy to grasp and to apply. Nehemiah wisely rejected Sanballat’s invitation to a meeting (Neh 6:1-4). But foolish Gedaliah and other sincere Jews believed the lies and tears of Ishmael to their ruin (Jer 40:7-16; 41:1-7)

Solomon wrote this proverb to warn about the hidden dangers of flattery and hypocrisy in relationships, but a loving Father in heaven will expose deceitful and vicious thoughts and intentions (Pr 26:25-26). He alone knows the heart, and He knows all the heart (Jer 17:10; Heb 4:13). Patiently practice wisdom, and leave discovery and vengeance to Him.

Not only will God expose such duplicity and dissimulation, He will also cast the wicked persons into the trouble they had planned for others (Pr 26:27). Absalom was killed cruelly by darts while hanging in a tree (II Sam 18:9-15). Haman’s gallows were used to stretch his neck and those of his ten sons (Est 7:10; 9:13-14). Daniel’s adversaries were eaten by lions, which had slept peacefully with Daniel the night before (Dan 6:21-24).

The most subtle deceit and cover for hatred is that used by wh**es, who use flattery to disarm and seduce their victims (Pr 2:16; 5:3; 6:24; 7:5,21; 22:14). The Church of Rome is called a great w***e, for she uses religious lies and pretensions to ensnare her victims (Rev 17:1-6; I Tim 4:1-3; Matt 23:14). Do not believe her deceitful lies pretending goodwill and peace; they are used to take you away from apostolic religion and the Bible.

https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-26/proverbs-26-24/

09/25/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟐𝟓:𝟏𝟑

𝐀𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭, 𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐦: 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬.

Are you a breath of fresh air to all who trust you? Do you refresh the spirits of those who depend on you, like a cool drink on a hot fall day? Are you especially a source of joy to your employer? Faithfulness is a great thing, but it is a rare thing today. There are people trusting you and depending on you, and you are a relief and pleasure to them based on the degree of your faithfulness. The lesson of the proverb is the joy created by a faithful man.

Harvest occurred in the fall in Israel. After a hot summer and all the hard work of bringing a harvest into the barns and garners, the reapers, threshers, and other workers were parched and weary. The arrival of cool weather was a wonderful relief and pleasure, and so was a drink cooled by snow preserved from nearby mountains (Pr 25:25). Snow itself in harvest was not good; it was the cool weather or cooling effect of snow that was good. Solomon used this refreshing effect of cool weather or a cool drink for his simile.

Solomon used a messenger, or ambassador, for the lesson, though it applies to all jobs and duties. Rather than working under constant supervision, a messenger would be sent with news, covenants, or ultimatums to other places. It would be easy to delay departure, linger on the way, get sidetracked, forget details of the message, present it in the wrong way, say more than needed, misperceive the response, or fail in other ways (Pr 13:17).

Faithfulness is a great measure of a man’s character (Pr 11:13; 14:5; 27:6; 28:20). Most men claim to be faithful. Just read their resumes or listen to them talk! But there are only a few truly faithful men in any generation (Pr 20:6). A faithful man meticulously fulfills every duty to equal or exceed the expectations of those trusting or depending on him.

How faithful are you? Are you early to work and appointments? Are you known for punctuality? Do you pace yourself on projects? Do you procrastinate? Do you always hit deadlines? Are you easily sidetracked? Are you distracted quickly? Do you always finish projects? Do you get the details others need? Are you a great communicator so that all parties know all that is needed? Are your quality and quantity greater than expected?

Faithful men are rare. You can separate yourself from the crowd by faithfulness in your assignments (Pr 22:29; Luke 2:52). Do your duties in such a way that those trusting you and depending on you are filled with excitement at your outstanding performance. And this applies from President of the United States to being a great student in kindergarten!

God’s messengers should be the most faithful men. Only very faithful men tested by real duties should ever be ordained (I Tim 3:1-7). He should be the most diligent and faithful man in the church and focused on his God-given duties without distraction (Phil 2:19-22; I Tim 4:12-16; II Tim 2:3-4; Titus 1:5-11). It is a disgusting shame when the ministry is referred to as a “nonprofit profession” due to the dereliction of duty of most ministers.

The rest of your life begins now. Who is trusting you and depending on you that needs a refreshing drink of cool water or the relief of a cool breeze? Get to your duties and fulfill each one better than expected. Child, make your bed and clean your room perfectly. Wife, have a real meal for your family tonight. Husband, do not relax or sleep tonight without training your family. Mr. President, provide fully for our national success.

https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-25/proverbs-25-13/

09/25/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟐𝟓:𝟏𝟑

𝐀𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭, 𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐦: 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬.

🎧 Listen now: https://s3.amazonaws.com/letgodbetrue.audio/proverbs/25-13.mp3

Are you a breath of fresh air to all who trust you? Do you refresh the spirits of those who depend on you, like a cool drink on a hot fall day? Are you especially a source of joy to your employer? Faithfulness is a great thing, but it is a rare thing today. There are people trusting you and depending on you, and you are a relief and pleasure to them based on the degree of your faithfulness. The lesson of the proverb is the joy created by a faithful man.

Harvest occurred in the fall in Israel. After a hot summer and all the hard work of bringing a harvest into the barns and garners, the reapers, threshers, and other workers were parched and weary. The arrival of cool weather was a wonderful relief and pleasure, and so was a drink cooled by snow preserved from nearby mountains (Pr 25:25). Snow itself in harvest was not good; it was the cool weather or cooling effect of snow that was good. Solomon used this refreshing effect of cool weather or a cool drink for his simile.

Solomon used a messenger, or ambassador, for the lesson, though it applies to all jobs and duties. Rather than working under constant supervision, a messenger would be sent with news, covenants, or ultimatums to other places. It would be easy to delay departure, linger on the way, get sidetracked, forget details of the message, present it in the wrong way, say more than needed, misperceive the response, or fail in other ways (Pr 13:17).

Faithfulness is a great measure of a man’s character (Pr 11:13; 14:5; 27:6; 28:20). Most men claim to be faithful. Just read their resumes or listen to them talk! But there are only a few truly faithful men in any generation (Pr 20:6). A faithful man meticulously fulfills every duty to equal or exceed the expectations of those trusting or depending on him.

How faithful are you? Are you early to work and appointments? Are you known for punctuality? Do you pace yourself on projects? Do you procrastinate? Do you always hit deadlines? Are you easily sidetracked? Are you distracted quickly? Do you always finish projects? Do you get the details others need? Are you a great communicator so that all parties know all that is needed? Are your quality and quantity greater than expected?

Faithful men are rare. You can separate yourself from the crowd by faithfulness in your assignments (Pr 22:29; Luke 2:52). Do your duties in such a way that those trusting you and depending on you are filled with excitement at your outstanding performance. And this applies from President of the United States to being a great student in kindergarten!

God’s messengers should be the most faithful men. Only very faithful men tested by real duties should ever be ordained (I Tim 3:1-7). He should be the most diligent and faithful man in the church and focused on his God-given duties without distraction (Phil 2:19-22; I Tim 4:12-16; II Tim 2:3-4; Titus 1:5-11). It is a disgusting shame when the ministry is referred to as a “nonprofit profession” due to the dereliction of duty of most ministers.

The rest of your life begins now. Who is trusting you and depending on you that needs a refreshing drink of cool water or the relief of a cool breeze? Get to your duties and fulfill each one better than expected. Child, make your bed and clean your room perfectly. Wife, have a real meal for your family tonight. Husband, do not relax or sleep tonight without training your family. Mr. President, provide fully for our national success.

Read the full commentary on our website:
https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-25/proverbs-25-13/

09/24/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟐𝟒:𝟐𝟖

𝐁𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞; 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬.

You can hurt others by words. Or you can protect them by guarding your speech. It is easy to harm another person by gossip or slander. By hurting his reputation or testimony, you may inflict great pain or disadvantage on him. Part of godliness and wisdom is to rule your mouth, so you do not injure another person through malice or indiscretion.

Legal situations occur where you might be called as a witness for an accident, crime, or a person’s character. Your duty before God and men is to not testify against anyone without cause – there must be a righteous reason to disclose anything about another person, especially something negative. And you should never lie about him, which is bearing false witness, the ninth commandment of God’s ten to Moses (Ex 20:1-17).

Who is your neighbor? Your neighbor intends many more than just the few who live near you. It includes anyone you meet during your life, even those you might dislike and consider enemies by culture or race (Luke 10:29-37). It includes fellow employees, church members, relatives, fellow students, citizens, your doctor’s staff, and all like them.

A call to court as a witness is rare, but supervisors or managers asking you about fellow employees is not. Are you ready for such an event? You should tell only the truth needed, if confronted. But you should never use the opportunity to damage another employee to advance yourself, either with true events or lies. Solomon condemned it (Pr 30:10).

Never tell negative things about another person, unless necessary for some authority to rightly exercise their office. Even if events are true, it is wrong to spread secrets to others, for you damage their reputation, which can be like murder (Pr 18:8,21; 26:22). What some call gossip – the Bible condemns as sins of backbiting, talebearing, and whispering.

If you know private information about a person, keep it to yourself. Private things you know about others are secrets. Talebearers go around revealing secrets, but faithful men conceal them (Pr 11:13; 20:19). Are you a talebearer or faithful? Talebearers are very destructive (Pr 18:8; 26:20,22). God hates them and their sin (Pr 6:16-19; Lev 19:16).

This sin of talebearing, or tattling (I Tim 5:13), which some call gossip, is backbiting in the Bible. It is backbiting, for you bite a person in the back when you tell secrets about them in their absence (Pr 25:23; Rom 1:30; II Cor 12:20). Faithful men protect those not present by avoiding critical or negative speech about them (Ps 15:3; Pr 25:23).

Talking about others is also called whispering in the Bible, for it is the private sharing of secrets with others through hushed conversation or insinuation (Rom 1:29; II Cor 12:20). Whispering is destructive, as it turns men’s minds against even their friends (Pr 16:28; 17:9). Faithful men are protective and kind – they hate whispering and choose praise instead. They love their neighbors, which is the second greatest commandment of all.

Thus far, the lesson forbids speaking against your neighbor without a good reason. Even true events should be kept secret unless you must reveal them for a righteous cause (Matt 5:22). Telling the truth that hurts a reputation is talebearing, backbiting, and whispering. Though such sins are ignored due to the moral decline everywhere, you can despise them.

But the proverb here also condemns deceiving speech. This is slander – telling lies to get another person in trouble or to damage their character. This is bearing false witness, for you deceive and lie to injure him. Fools slander others (Pr 10:18; 25:18). God will punish false witnesses (Pr 19:5,9; 21:28). Good men will not slander (Pr 14:5; I Tim 3:11).

As the next proverb indicates (Pr 24:29), revenge should never be part of conversation about others. You must not reveal secrets about them or slander them by lies, even if they have mistreated you in the past. God will repay them, if they have wronged you, and He commands you to leave the matter to Him (Lev 19:18; Rom 12:17-21). He will repay.

Though not included here directly, flattery is also sinful speech that harms others, for it feigns and pretends either affection or praise for deceitful purposes. Wh**es use it to seduce young men (Pr 2:16; 5:3; 6:24; 7:5). It also is destructive (Pr 20:19; 26:28; 29:5). It is another form of lying and bearing false witness, for the praise is not sincere at all.

Consider the proverb’s wisdom! Your tongue – your words – can cut and hurt others, or they can be health and joy (Pr 12:18; 10:20-21; 16:24). God hears or reads your every word, knowing all the intents of your heart, so beware (Ps 139:4; Pr 18:21). It has been well said, if you cannot say something nice about another person, then say nothing at all!

Since men sin so many ways with their mouths, what will you do to stop talkers from injuring others? You should get angry against backbiters and cut them off from their violent game (Pr 25:23). Since men often lie to either injure or seduce, do not be affected by everything you hear, whether against you (Eccl 7:21-22) or for you (Pr 26:24-25).

Words come from the heart, so think only kindly about others, and then only kind words will pass your lips (Luke 6:45). Keep your heart diligently toward this goal (Pr 4:23). Always tell the truth (Pr 12:19,22). Only be critical when necessary for those in authority or for the profit of the hearer or the named (Pr 21:28; 29:24; 9:8; II Tim 4:14-15).

There is one witness always faithful and true and named accordingly (Rev 1:5; 3:14; 19:11). In a day very soon, Jesus Christ will be the only advocate or mediator before God the Judge of all (I Tim 2:5; Rev 20:11-15). He will tell the truth – fully and honestly. He will condemn the wicked (Matt 7:21-23). He will justify the righteous (Heb 2:10-13). Do you know Him? Or much more importantly, does He know you (Gal 4:9; II Tim 2:19)?

https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-24/proverbs-24-28/

09/24/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟐𝟒:𝟐𝟖

𝐁𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞; 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬.

🎧 Listen now: https://s3.amazonaws.com/letgodbetrue.audio/proverbs/24-28.mp3

You can hurt others by words. Or you can protect them by guarding your speech. It is easy to harm another person by gossip or slander. By hurting his reputation or testimony, you may inflict great pain or disadvantage on him. Part of godliness and wisdom is to rule your mouth, so you do not injure another person through malice or indiscretion.

Legal situations occur where you might be called as a witness for an accident, crime, or a person’s character. Your duty before God and men is to not testify against anyone without cause – there must be a righteous reason to disclose anything about another person, especially something negative. And you should never lie about him, which is bearing false witness, the ninth commandment of God’s ten to Moses (Ex 20:1-17).

Who is your neighbor? Your neighbor intends many more than just the few who live near you. It includes anyone you meet during your life, even those you might dislike and consider enemies by culture or race (Luke 10:29-37). It includes fellow employees, church members, relatives, fellow students, citizens, your doctor’s staff, and all like them.

A call to court as a witness is rare, but supervisors or managers asking you about fellow employees is not. Are you ready for such an event? You should tell only the truth needed, if confronted. But you should never use the opportunity to damage another employee to advance yourself, either with true events or lies. Solomon condemned it (Pr 30:10).

Never tell negative things about another person, unless necessary for some authority to rightly exercise their office. Even if events are true, it is wrong to spread secrets to others, for you damage their reputation, which can be like murder (Pr 18:8,21; 26:22). What some call gossip – the Bible condemns as sins of backbiting, talebearing, and whispering.

If you know private information about a person, keep it to yourself. Private things you know about others are secrets. Talebearers go around revealing secrets, but faithful men conceal them (Pr 11:13; 20:19). Are you a talebearer or faithful? Talebearers are very destructive (Pr 18:8; 26:20,22). God hates them and their sin (Pr 6:16-19; Lev 19:16).

This sin of talebearing, or tattling (I Tim 5:13), which some call gossip, is backbiting in the Bible. It is backbiting, for you bite a person in the back when you tell secrets about them in their absence (Pr 25:23; Rom 1:30; II Cor 12:20). Faithful men protect those not present by avoiding critical or negative speech about them (Ps 15:3; Pr 25:23).

Talking about others is also called whispering in the Bible, for it is the private sharing of secrets with others through hushed conversation or insinuation (Rom 1:29; II Cor 12:20). Whispering is destructive, as it turns men’s minds against even their friends (Pr 16:28; 17:9). Faithful men are protective and kind – they hate whispering and choose praise instead. They love their neighbors, which is the second greatest commandment of all.

Thus far, the lesson forbids speaking against your neighbor without a good reason. Even true events should be kept secret unless you must reveal them for a righteous cause (Matt 5:22). Telling the truth that hurts a reputation is talebearing, backbiting, and whispering. Though such sins are ignored due to the moral decline everywhere, you can despise them.

But the proverb here also condemns deceiving speech. This is slander – telling lies to get another person in trouble or to damage their character. This is bearing false witness, for you deceive and lie to injure him. Fools slander others (Pr 10:18; 25:18). God will punish false witnesses (Pr 19:5,9; 21:28). Good men will not slander (Pr 14:5; I Tim 3:11).

As the next proverb indicates (Pr 24:29), revenge should never be part of conversation about others. You must not reveal secrets about them or slander them by lies, even if they have mistreated you in the past. God will repay them, if they have wronged you, and He commands you to leave the matter to Him (Lev 19:18; Rom 12:17-21). He will repay.

Though not included here directly, flattery is also sinful speech that harms others, for it feigns and pretends either affection or praise for deceitful purposes. Wh**es use it to seduce young men (Pr 2:16; 5:3; 6:24; 7:5). It also is destructive (Pr 20:19; 26:28; 29:5). It is another form of lying and bearing false witness, for the praise is not sincere at all.

Consider the proverb’s wisdom! Your tongue – your words – can cut and hurt others, or they can be health and joy (Pr 12:18; 10:20-21; 16:24). God hears or reads your every word, knowing all the intents of your heart, so beware (Ps 139:4; Pr 18:21). It has been well said, if you cannot say something nice about another person, then say nothing at all!

Since men sin so many ways with their mouths, what will you do to stop talkers from injuring others? You should get angry against backbiters and cut them off from their violent game (Pr 25:23). Since men often lie to either injure or seduce, do not be affected by everything you hear, whether against you (Eccl 7:21-22) or for you (Pr 26:24-25).

Words come from the heart, so think only kindly about others, and then only kind words will pass your lips (Luke 6:45). Keep your heart diligently toward this goal (Pr 4:23). Always tell the truth (Pr 12:19,22). Only be critical when necessary for those in authority or for the profit of the hearer or the named (Pr 21:28; 29:24; 9:8; II Tim 4:14-15).

There is one witness always faithful and true and named accordingly (Rev 1:5; 3:14; 19:11). In a day very soon, Jesus Christ will be the only advocate or mediator before God the Judge of all (I Tim 2:5; Rev 20:11-15). He will tell the truth – fully and honestly. He will condemn the wicked (Matt 7:21-23). He will justify the righteous (Heb 2:10-13). Do you know Him? Or much more importantly, does He know you (Gal 4:9; II Tim 2:19)?

Read the full commentary on our website:
https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-24/proverbs-24-28/

Wisdom of Solomon's Proverbs

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