16 The fool’s anger is quickly known (because he lacks self-control and common sense), but a prudent man ignores an insult. 17 He who speaks truth (when he testifies) tells what is right, but a false witness utters deceit (in court). 18 There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19 Truthful lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is (credited) only for a moment. 20-22 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but counsellors of peace have joy. No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. Lying lips are extremely disgusting to the Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight. Proverbs 12:16-22 Amplified Bible. (Words in brackets are included by the translators to try and bring out the fuller meaning of a word or phrase).

This issue of the words we speak and how we use them has come up before in Proverbs, and will come up again as we move through the book. But it's not just repetition. It simply highlights the importance of this part of our life. Some people, sadly, have speech problems such as stuttering or a lisp. But the speech problems described in these verses aren't physical - they are moral issues. For example, notice how choosing when and how to speak in vs 16 tells us a lot about the person.

The New Testament writer James said: “Understand this, dear brothers and sisters, you must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger doesn’t produce the righteousness God desires.” (James 1:19-20) Imagine the difference it would make to a struggling marriage if husband and wife put Proverbs 12:16 into action, and they didn't flare up when the other one said something hurtful. That’s what vs 18 shows. Rash words can slash the spirit just as painfully as a sword can slash the flesh. But restraint and wisely spoken words can bring about much healing.

And it’s not just angry and rash words we need to guard against - it’s also words that are not true. Why is speaking the truth so important? (vs 17)

The Amplified Bible translators suggest this verse particularly has a court case in mind, but it could easily apply to any situation in life. Truth is important in business, friendships, marriage and especially in Government. The writer says that those who speak the truth 'tell what is right'! True words help people to discover what is really going on and reveal what has been wrong in a relationship. They don't cover up mistakes or outright evil. That's why vs 19 points out that truth leads to something that endures, whereas lies only are only a short term escape from a problem. And a false one at that.

What are the ultimate results of loving truth and rejecting lies and deceit, and why? (vs 20-22)

We see that lying lips are evidence of a deceitful heart. Lying words are not just a superficial problem – they show that a person is rotten within. A total transformation of the heart is needed. And this is something urgent because the writer says that “lying lips are extremely disgusting to the Lord.” On the other hand, the Lord takes delight in those who speak words that are true and who try to bring peace into a situation, and he watches over them.

So our words really matter. They reveal what's going on in our hearts, and they can cause havoc and harm or healing and peace. No wonder the apostle Paul urged believers to use their lips wisely. Writing to Christians in the Church at Ephesus he said: “Put on your new nature, created to be like God - truly righteous and holy. Stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbours the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:24-27)

Psalm 19:14 is a good prayer for all of us: “May the words of my mouth - and the meditation of my heart - be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”