Proverbs 4:24

Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. PUT AWAY FROM THEE A FROWARD MOUTH, AND PERVERSE LIPS PUT FAR FROM THEE - Hebrew, frowardness (cf. ) of mouth and perversity of lips.' 'Frowardness'-literally, distortion; all speech that departs from the law of purity, truth, and love: filthy, false, unkind, boastful, and flattering words: idle and unprofitable talk (Psalms 101:4). As the heart, so the mouth, is to be "kept with all diligence;" for there is the closest sympathy between the heart and mouth. It is not enough for the outward life to be pure, but the speech must be so also, because it is the index of the mind. Next to the heart, the tongue is the most ungovernable member ...

14-27 The way of evil men may seem pleasant, and the nearest way to compass some end; but it is an evil way, and will end ill; if thou love thy God and thy soul, avoid it. It is not said, Keep at a due distance, but at a great distance; never think you can get far enough from it. The way of the righteous is light; Christ is their Way, and he is the Light. The saints will not be perfect till they reach heaven, but there they shall shine as the sun in his strength. The way of sin is as darkness. The way of the wicked is dark, therefore dangerous; they fall into sin, but know not how to avoid it. They fall into trouble, but never seek to know wherefore God contends with them, nor what will be in the end of it. This is the way we are bid to shun. Attentive hearing the word of God, is a good sign of a work of grace begun in the heart, and a good means of carrying it on. There is in the word...

Verse Proverbs 4:24. _A FROWARD MOUTH_] Beware of hastiness, anger, and rash speeches. _AND PERVERSE LIPS_] Do not delight in nor acquire the _habit of_ _contradicting_ and _gainsaying_; and beware of _calumniating_ and _backbiting_ your neighbour....

Speech turned from its true purpose, the wandering eye that leads on to evil, action hasty and inconsiderate, are the natural results where we do not “above all keeping keep our heart” Proverbs 4:23....

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 4:1 7. _Seventh admonitory discourse. _We here enter upon the second group of admonitory discourses, as is indicated by the opening address, "my children," and which occurs again in Proverbs 5:7 and Proverbs 7:24. This group extends to the end of Proverbs 7:1. Its prevailing tone is that of warning rather than of positive exhortations, which have been the rule hitherto. The general aim of the discourse before us, as of those preceding, is to exalt Wisdom, to exhibit her as a subject worthy of all earnest endeavour and sacrifice, but it is noticeable that the teacher introd

PUT AWAY FROM THEE A FROWARD MOUTH,.... A mouth speaking froward and perverse things; things contrary to right reason, to the law of God, and Gospel of Christ; blasphemies against God or men; every thing that is untrue, unchaste, unjust, foolish, and filthy; all swearing, lying, and everything that is repugnant to truth and justice. Some understand it of men that are liars, blasphemers, and froward persons, who are to be shunned and avoided, and to be debarred the houses and society of good men; AND PERVERSE LIPS PUT FAR FROM THEE; do not make use of them thyself, nor keep company with men of such a character. Much the same thing is meant as before....

CHAPTER 4 _ 1. Solomon's training (Proverbs 4:1)_ 2. Hear, O my son: Receive my sayings (Proverbs 4:10) 3. My son, attend to my words. (Proverbs 4:20) Proverbs 4:1. This passage shows the early training which Solomon received and he passeth on the instructions. It is said that these verses formed a model for many Puritan homes in England and the Scotland of the covenant. He was the beloved one, his father's true son. Note the different exhortation, about wisdom: Forget it not; forsake her not; love her; exalt her. Then the promises: She shall preserve thee; she shall keep thee; she shall promote thee

TEXT Proverbs 4:20-27 20. My son, attend to my words; Incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21. Let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep them in the midst of thy heart. 22. For they are life unto those that find them, And health to all their flesh. 23. Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life. 24. Put away from thee a wayward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee. 25. Let thine eyes look right on, And let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26. Make level the path of thy feet, And let all thy ways be established. 27. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: Remove thy foot from evil. STUDY QUESTIONS OVER 4:20-27 1. Why does the father go over the same thought so often ...

4:24 corrupt (c-9) Lit. 'corruptness of,' 'inconsistency,' or 'perverseness of.' same root word as ch. 3.32....

ANCESTRAL WISDOM. THE TWO PATHS In Proverbs 4:1 the teacher lays stress on the fact that his instruction is a repetition of his father's. No teaching was thought valuable save that which was handed down from one generation to another. The best pupil was the one who was 'a cemented cistern which loses not a drop.' Proverbs 4:10 might be called the doctrine of the two paths, the two ways of life. 20-27 enjoin strict attention to instruction and to conduct....