"Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counselors of peace is joy."
Proverbs 12:20
Part 1
“Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil.”
The man or woman who wants to do harm to their neighbor has a “deceitful” heart. This ancient word means just that “deceit” or “treachery”[1] (BDB). It is used of a person who is deceitful and speaks falsehood, a liar. And who will put trust in a liar? No one!
Three times in this same chapter of Proverbs, Solomon speaks of these kinds of deceitful people. In our verse for today (v. 20), and also,
In verse 5,
“The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit” (Proverbs 12:5).
And in verse 17,
“He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit” (Proverbs 12:17).
Whether these deceivers are giving their “counsel” to others, or testifying in a court of law, they can never be trusted. Here is a truism from Solomon: “He or she who imagines doing evil to his or her neighbor, has a deceitful, treacherous, heart.” This kind of evil only comes out of a wicked heart.
Also, in our verse, Solomon used the word “imagine.” The Hebrew text means “to cut in, plow, engrave, devise”[2] (BDB).
“That imagine — or, “plan”…. They design a deceitful course, to which, with all its evils and dangers to others and themselves, the happiness of peace-makers is opposed…”[3] (JFB).
It is often used to describe the devious person.
“Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord” (Proverbs 6:14).
Wise King Solomon instructs his son to never make evil plans against his neighbor.
“Devise [imagine] not evil against thy neighbor, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee” (Proverbs 3:29).
Believers, our plans are the opposite of those who “devise evil.” We who love the Lord Jesus Christ plan to do good for others. How does our Lord want us to respond to those deceitful, wicked individuals? Come back tomorrow, and we will talk about being a help to these poor lost souls.
Quote: “If you know the law of mental storms, you may reach peace, and that law may be summed up in one line: Steer to God right away; fly to him, and you will find a peaceful shelter”[4] (Spurgeon).
[1] Brown, Driver, Briggs. Brown-Driver-Briggs’ Hebrew Definitions, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] BDB, ibid.
[3] Jamison, Fausset, and Brown. Jamison-Fausset-Brown’s Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[4] Spurgeon’s quote, Downloaded: Monday, June 29, 2020.
From: https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/blog-entries/22-spurgeon-quotes-for-surviving-lifes-storms/.