Disinformation, misinformation, propaganda, spin, and alternate facts are terms that people use to discuss crooked speech. A thousand years before Jesus was born, Solomon counseled his readers against crooked speech.
A scoundrel and a villain
goes around with crooked speech (Proverbs 6.12)
In Hebrew, what does “crooked speech” mean? It refers to words that are twisted, perverted, or crooked. This phrase highlights words and intentions that are deceptive, misleading, or insincere.
Moreover, it doesn’t only address speech but also underscores the wicked intentions and nature of the speaker.
Jesus was debating religious authorities when He said, “You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father’s desires.
“He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8.44).
The father of crooked speech is the devil. When we engage in deceptive speech, we unite with one of his essential character traits.
Solomon wrote to the people he loved, warning them against the scoundrel and the villain whose speech is crooked and can’t be trusted.
In Hebrew poetry scoundrel and villain stem from the same Hebrew word.
“Scoundrel” and “villain” are a compound of two words: bĕlî which means “without” and yal which might mean “profit” or “worth”. Thus, the term refers to someone who is “without worth” or “worthless.”
You may recognize “Belial” as a term used by Paul to describe the evil one.
For what do righteousness and lawlessness have in common? Or what partnership is there between light and darkness?
What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what does a believer share with an unbeliever?
What agreement has the temple of God with idols? (2 Corinthians 6.14-16)
It’s not an accident that Jesus intentionally links deceptive speech to the character of the devil. Similarly, Paul associates scoundrels and villains with the evil one.
The Book of Proverbs warns us against associating with or being deceived by such individuals.
They aren’t just casual wrongdoers; they embody wickedness. They choose a life that opposes God’s wisdom and righteousness.
They align with the enemy of our souls, and we should avoid them like the plague.
The Signals of Scoundrels
People who collaborate with scoundrels understand subtle gestures. These gestures enable them to participate in their malicious plans.
Winking the eyes, shuffling the feet,
pointing the fingers (Proverbs 6.13)
You might have heard the term “dog whistle” in the news. It describes a coded message that seems harmless to most people but sends a specific message to a targeted audience.
For years, various individuals have used this form of communication to push their own agendas. This behavior is typical of a scoundrel.
Attitudes and Actions
Solomon warns his audience to avoid scoundrels and villains due to their attitudes and actions.
With perverted mind devising evil,
continually sowing discord. (Proverbs 6.14)
Someone with a perverted mind, turns things upside down, reversing them, or making them perverse.
A perverted mind produces speech that is morally twisted, corrupted, or deviant from what is upright and righteous.
A person with a perverted mind speaks with the intent to deceive, mislead, and sow discord.
God’s judgment of the people during Noah’s time demonstrates the wrongness of this behavior.
The Lord saw that the wickedness of humans was great in the earth and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually (Genesis 6:5).
Just as the people during Noah’s time were unprepared for judgment, so are those who align with scoffers and villains. Solomon is undoubtedly correct: we should avoid them at every opportunity.
On such a one calamity will descend suddenly,
in a moment, damage beyond repair. (Proverbs 6.15)
How to Respond?
To avoid being deceived by scoundrels and villains flooding the media with disinformation, I stay grounded in the Bible.
Every day, I dedicate time to prayerfully engage with specific Bible passages, allowing the Lord to guide and correct my thoughts.
I urge you to set aside a time and place to connect with God. Engage with Him through Bible reading, prayer, and meditation.
See for yourself how this practice helps you steer clear of the deceptions from the world’s scoundrels and villains.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 