Proverbs 13:7 – Monetary Deception

One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. – The Bible, Proverbs 13:7

Some places where else this is discussed:

Prov. 12:9, 13:5 20:14

My thoughts:

Lots of people like to talk up their latest favourite purchases. Its part of the fun of buying stuff, including the fact that you had the money to splurge on it.

Yet the people mentioned in this proverb aren’t boasting about things they have, but are completely deceiving others about their wealth. The two types are rich people pretending to be poor and those with very little lying about being wealthy. We ought to be wary of deceptive people like this. In all likelihood the motivation is greed or high social standing. Who knows what other lies one might tell if guided by these desires.

We seem to feel compelled to help someone claiming to be desperate or feel drawn to associate with well-off people. Let’s be careful to not join in any such lies and likewise be careful to avoid being deceived.

Thanks for reading! Pete.

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Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

Photo Attribution: Heather Used under Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0

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Proverbs 13:6 – Protection By Doing Good

Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. – The Bible, Proverbs 13:6

Some places where else this is discussed:

Prov. 2:21-22, 11:3, 13:3

My thoughts:

We are often undone by our own actions. Whether it’s at work or home, with our finances or relationships, our mess ups turn back onto us. People have a way of exposing a matter if it’s affected them, revealing our deception, error, or hurtful actions.

This proverb talks of a person saved or destroyed respectively by her good or evil behaviour. The woman of integrity is protected from harsh outcomes because of her obedience to God’s good commands. She sticks to what she knows God would have her do. The sinful woman experiences the full force of her actions and has no help in her fall. Let’s take God at his word and seek righteousness in Christ. It will guard us from many pains.

Thanks for reading! Pete.

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Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

Photo Attribution:  Mika Hiironniemi Used under Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0

Proverbs 13:5 – Odious Lies

The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves. – The Bible, Proverbs 13:5

Some places where else this is discussed:

Prov. 6:16-19, 8:13, Psalm 119:163

My thoughts:

Hate is a strong emotion. We shouldn’t hate people personally, but we are given free reign in the Bible to hate evil. Evil deserves drastic action. For us to hate our own evil actions or the temptation to do them, we’d need to avoid them, stamp them out, and flee such things.

In this proverb, the man who seeks to be righteous despises any deception; he follows in what God hates. The wicked man has no qualms about lying, as long as it gets them what they want. Yet they bring upon themselves all manner of shame. So often the truth ousts us. We realise it would have been far better to have not lied in the first place.

Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

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Proverbs 12:22 – Lying Lips

The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. – Proverbs 11:22

A series of proverbs with this same theme:

Proverbs 12:13-25 (excluding 21 & 24)

My thoughts:

God is truth. It’s one of His steadfast attributes. You could say He doesn’t leave home without it. This proverb testifies to God hating liars but loving truth-sayers. The tongue has played a part in many surrounding verses, and we have found one thing common among them: it matters what we say. God cares and that should be reason enough for us to care too.

Thanks for reading! Pete.

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Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

Note: All scripture is taken from Bible.com and is the New International Version. I am using a commentary by John A. Kitchen for help with difficult concepts and words. Plus he has a real way with words!

Photo Attribution: Alessio Michelini Used under Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0

Proverbs 12:19 – Temporary Lies

Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. – Proverbs 12:19

A series of proverbs with this same theme:

Proverbs 12:13-25 (excluding 21 & 24)

My thoughts:

Lies do get seen through eventually in some way or other. I found this every time I tried to lie to my parents. My lies didn’t have lasting value, unlike the truth. This proverb speaks of truth lasting forever, which can speak of it’s powerful nature here on earth, but also could be of the eternal nature of God’s judgement and kingdom. Only the truth will endure under His rule.

Thanks for reading! Pete.

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Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

Note: All scripture is taken from Bible.com and is the New International Version. I am using a commentary by John A. Kitchen for help with difficult concepts and words.

Photo Attribution: Felipe Rocha Used under Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0