Proverbs 12:6 Words
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, But the mouth of the upright will deliver them. Proverbs12:6NASB
Or, the words of the wicked are, “lie in wait for blood” (as though that is there instruction to others).
I understand that people become what they choose. If I choose wickedness and only that which serves me, I become “wicked” or someone who is self-centered. If I choose goodness with an intent to honor others, I become “upright” or someone whom others may vouch for. People did not start out wicked — or upright. Man was created with great innocence and capacity, intertwined with circumstances, family, and culture. With such overwhelming influence, our innocence doesn’t last long. We are enticed by an adversary who is the real wicked one, and those who are in turn under his influence. He constantly looks for opportunities to hurt, steal and kill. At the very beginning he lurked in the Garden of Eden waiting to hurt man. Once he solemnized spiritual death in Adam, he wasted no time in pursuing Adam’s children. Cain heard his voice and followed his urging. Abel fell victim to someone who was overcome by “words lying in wait,” doing their dirty work just as intended.
How did this all happen? Words. So who is could possibly be upright? There are many good-intentioned men and women, but since that original man’s failure, Jesus became the first to live, and die with trust in God fully in tact and without blame. So the mouth of the upright (one) Jesus, is the one that delivers us. He is our advocate, daily giving us a route of escape.
Paul says:
Who is the one who condemns? (Yet) Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Romans8:34NASB
Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews7:25NIV
When we were little many of us heard the saying, “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Words, are in fact, are much worse. They are lobbed like a grenade with pin pulled, and may not hurt my bones, but for a person who weighs their truthfulness and feels and relates to others, they can be devastating. I once worked with an English woman who was not a U.S. citizen, yet at election time she was enthusiastically encouraging others to vote. I asked, “Why are you doing this if you can’t vote?” She said, “If I can influence five people to vote how I would if I could vote then I have done more than the person who casts a single ballot.” Words are powerful.
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. John 6:63 NIV
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10 NASB
A word from my mouth is window into my heart. When I speak, it exposes what is inside. Words proceed from my heart. They reflect the kingdom that is within. For the upright, the power is not in the physical utterances, rather, the Presence from which those words come.
The power of the Presence delivers. No awful, blood seeking, blood-sucking words can overcome our Deliverer.