Rēad to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Proverbs 4-6
Proverbs 6:13
He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
The old Patch the Pirate song has it right: “Your talk talks, and your walk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks.” But, sadly, too few seem to understand this, therefore they are duped by false talk. One of the great benefits of the book of Proverbs is that it teaches much about human nature. In a world filled with deceit, how can one know whom to believe? God’s Word tells us.
In chapter 6 of Proverbs, we are introduced to an all-too-common type of person. the naughty, the wicked, and those that have a froward mouth. That word “froward” is not very familiar in that it is not used too much in the modern-day vocabulary. It is defined by Websters 1828 dictionary as “Perverse, that is, turning from, with aversion or reluctance; not willing to yield or comply with what is required; unyielding; ungovernable; refractory; disobedient; peevish…” There are many who are froward, it seems that society admires them and promotes them, even to the point of idolizing them. For they portray strength, independence, a strong will, and self-sufficiency. But they are froward. In the book of Proverbs this description is used fourteen times, far more than any other book of the Bible.
This type of person, the naughty, the wicked, the froward, can be spotted by three characteristics. Their eyes, their feet, and their hands. They wink with their eyes, speak with their feet, and teach with their fingers. No matter what they say, they communicate their true character by what they do. By noticing them according to God’s warning about them they can easily be spotted. They are froward and it would be wise to distance oneself from them. Notice some other things this chapter says of the froward in verses 14 and 15.
Frowardness is in their heart.
They devise mischief continually.
They sow discord.
They will suffer calamities.
They will suddenly be broken without remedy.
Following the froward is folly of foolishness. Anyone who does so will find themselves in the wilderness of bewilderment, betrayal, and bitterness. Just like the strange woman of Proverbs 5, and the path of the wicked in Proverbs 4, the best advice God’s Word has to offer concerning them is to avoid them, pass by them, turn from them, and remove from them.
In life there are those, few they may be, but there are those whose walk and talk agree in righteousness. In the freedom and liberty given to each person by God to choose whom to follow, choose them, follow them, and learn from them, as the old saying goes “hitch your wagon to them.” They won’t be perfect, but they can be trusted for their walk and talk agree. So, keep an eye out on the eyes, the feet, and the hands of a person. They will tell you all you need to know about their character.
Dr. William T. Howe
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