◄ Proverbs 17:4 ►
A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.
Study Bible
A wicked man listens to evil lips;
This phrase highlights the moral character of the individual who is receptive to harmful speech. In biblical context, the term "wicked" often refers to those who are morally corrupt and opposed to God's ways. Listening to "evil lips" suggests a willingness to entertain and accept falsehoods or malicious talk. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that one's character is reflected in whom they choose to listen to and associate with. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, oral communication was a primary means of conveying information, making the act of listening a significant moral choice. The Psalms and Proverbs frequently warn against the influence of the wicked (Psalm 1:1, Proverbs 1:10-19), emphasizing the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding from righteous sources.

a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.
The second part of the verse continues the theme of moral alignment, indicating that those who are deceitful themselves are drawn to similarly destructive speech. The "destructive tongue" can be understood as speech that causes harm, whether through slander, gossip, or false testimony. This reflects the biblical principle that like attracts like; those who are dishonest are naturally inclined to listen to and propagate harmful words. The New Testament echoes this sentiment, as seen in James 3:6, where the tongue is described as a fire capable of great destruction. The cultural context of the time placed a high value on community reputation and honor, making the destructive potential of the tongue particularly significant. This phrase also serves as a warning to guard one's heart and mind against influences that lead away from truth and righteousness, a theme consistent throughout Scripture.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Wicked Man
In the context of Proverbs, a wicked man is someone who is morally wrong, guilty, or hostile to God. The Hebrew word used here is (rasha), which often denotes someone who is actively engaged in wrongdoing.

2. Evil Lips
This phrase refers to speech that is harmful, deceitful, or morally corrupt. It implies communication that leads others away from truth and righteousness.

3. Liar
A person who speaks falsehoods or is deceitful. The Hebrew word (sheqer) is used, indicating falsehood or deception.

4. Destructive Tongue
This refers to speech that causes harm, division, or destruction. It is speech that tears down rather than builds up.
Teaching Points
Guard Your Ears and Heart
Be mindful of the voices you listen to. Just as a wicked man listens to evil lips, we must be cautious about the influences we allow into our lives. Surround yourself with godly counsel and truth.

The Power of Words
Recognize the impact of your speech. Words can build up or tear down. Strive to use your tongue to encourage and edify others, avoiding deceit and destruction.

Discernment in Relationships
Evaluate the character of those you associate with. Are they leading you towards righteousness or away from it? Choose friends and mentors who speak truth and life.

Self-Reflection on Speech
Consider your own words. Are you guilty of being a "destructive tongue"? Seek forgiveness and strive to align your speech with God's truth.

Pursue Truth and Integrity
Commit to being a person of truth, both in what you say and in what you listen to. Reject lies and deceit, and seek to live with integrity.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can we practically guard our hearts and minds against the influence of "evil lips" in today's world?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our speech aligns with the teachings of Ephesians 4:29?

3. Reflect on a time when you were influenced by a "destructive tongue." How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

4. How can we cultivate discernment to recognize when someone is speaking truth versus deceit?

5. What steps can we take to become more like the "blessed man" in Psalm 1:1, avoiding the counsel of the wicked?
Connections to Other Scriptures
James 3:5-6
This passage discusses the power of the tongue, likening it to a small fire that can set a forest ablaze. It connects to the idea of a "destructive tongue" in Proverbs 17:4, emphasizing the potential harm of careless or malicious speech.

Psalm 1:1
This verse contrasts the blessed man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, highlighting the importance of avoiding the influence of evil lips and destructive tongues.

Ephesians 4:29
This verse encourages believers to speak words that are edifying and beneficial, contrasting with the destructive speech mentioned in Proverbs 17:4.
Sermons
The Conversational Likings of Bad MenD. Thomas, D. D.Proverbs 17:4
Traits of Outward Dad Inward HappinessE. Johnson Proverbs 17:1-9
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Attention, Attentive, Damaging, Deceit, Destructive, Doer, Ear, Evil, Evildoer, Evil-doer, Falsehood, Gives, Giveth, Giving, Heed, Heeds, Iniquitous, Liar, Lips, Listens, Malicious, Mischievous, Naughty, Pays, Tongue, Vanity, Wicked, Wrongdoer
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 17:4

     5164   lips
     5510   rumours
     5951   slander

Library
April 8. "A Merry Heart Doeth Good Like a Medicine" (Prov. xvii. 22).
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine" (Prov. xvii. 22). King Solomon left among his wise sayings a prescription for sick and sad hearts, and it is one that we can safely take. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." Joy is the great restorer and healer. Gladness of spirit will bring health to the bones and vitality to the nerves when all other tonics fail, and all other sedatives cease to quiet. Sick one, begin to rejoice in the Lord, and your bones will flourish like an herb, and your cheeks …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

September 12. "The Furnace for Gold; but the Lord Trieth the Hearts" (Prov. xvii. 3. )
"The furnace for gold; but the Lord trieth the hearts" (Prov. xvii. 3.) Remember that temptation is not sin unless it be accompanied with the consent of your will. There may seem to be even the inclination, and yet the real choice of your spirit is fixed immovably against it, and God regards it simply as a solicitation and credits you with an obedience all the more pleasing to Him, because the temptation was so strong. We little know how evil can find access to a pure nature and seem to incorporate …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Unrivalled Friend
A sermon (No. 899) delivered on Lord's Day morning, November 7th, 1869, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."--Proverbs 17:17. There is one thing about the usefulness of which all men are agreed, namely, friendship; but most men are soon aware that counterfeits of friendship are common as autumn leaves. Few men enjoy from others the highest and truest form of friendship. The friendships of this world are …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

Its Meaning
Deliverance from the condemning sentence of the Divine Law is the fundamental blessing in Divine salvation: so long as we continue under the curse, we can neither be holy nor happy. But as to the precise nature of that deliverance, as to exactly what it consists of, as to the ground on which it is obtained, and as to the means whereby it is secured, much confusion now obtains. Most of the errors which have been prevalent on this subject arose from the lack of a clear view of the thing itself, and …
Arthur W. Pink—The Doctrine of Justification

Religion a Weariness to the Natural Man.
"He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him."--Isaiah liii. 2. "Religion is a weariness;" such is the judgment commonly passed, often avowed, concerning the greatest of blessings which Almighty God has bestowed upon us. And when God gave the blessing, He at the same time foretold that such would be the judgment of the world upon it, even as manifested in the gracious Person of Him whom He sent to give it to us. "He hath no form nor …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

The Raising of the Young Man of Nain - the Meeting of Life and Death.
THAT early spring-tide in Galilee was surely the truest realisation of the picture in the Song of Solomon, when earth clad herself in garments of beauty, and the air was melodious with songs of new life. [2625] It seemed as if each day marked a widening circle of deepest sympathy and largest power on the part of Jesus; as if each day also brought fresh surprise, new gladness; opened hitherto unthought-of possibilities, and pointed Israel far beyond the horizon of their narrow expectancy. Yesterday …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Cæsarius of Arles.
He was born in the district of Chalons-sur-Saone, A. D. 470. He seems to have been early awakened, by a pious education, to vital Christianity. When he was between seven and eight years old, it would often happen that he would give a portion of his clothes to the poor whom he met, and would say, when he came home, that he had been, constrained to do so. When yet a youth, he entered the celebrated convent on the island of Lerins, (Lerina,) in Provence, from which a spirit of deep and practical piety …
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places

Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity Paul's Thanks and Prayers for Churches.
Text: Philippians 1, 3-11. 3 I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy, 5 for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now; 6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

How the Silent and the Talkative are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 15.) Differently to be admonished are the over-silent, and those who spend time in much speaking. For it ought to be insinuated to the over-silent that while they shun some vices unadvisedly, they are, without its being perceived, implicated in worse. For often from bridling the tongue overmuch they suffer from more grievous loquacity in the heart; so that thoughts seethe the more in the mind from being straitened by the violent guard of indiscreet silence. And for the most part they …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

"Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." All men love to have privileges above others. Every one is upon the design and search after some well-being, since Adam lost that which was true happiness. We all agree upon the general notion of it, but presently men divide in the following of particulars. Here all men are united in seeking after some good; something to satisfy their souls, and satiate their desires. Nay, but they …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
The object of this chapter is to present a rudimentary outline and summary of all that Augustin penned or spoke against those traditional North African Christians whom he was pleased to regard as schismatics. It will be arranged, so far as may be, in chronological order, following the dates suggested by the Benedictine edition. The necessary brevity precludes anything but a very meagre treatment of so considerable a theme. The writer takes no responsibility for the ecclesiological tenets of the …
St. Augustine—writings in connection with the donatist controversy.

An Exhortation to Peace and Unity
[ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR] This treatise was first published in 1688, after Bunyan's death, at the end of the second edition of the Barren Fig Tree, with a black border round the title. It was continued in the third edition 1692, but was subsequently omitted, although the Barren Fig Tree was printed for the same publisher. It has been printed in every edition of Bunyan's Works. Respect for the judgment of others leads me to allow it a place in the first complete edition, although I have serious …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Nature of Justification
Justification in the active sense (iustificatio, {GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA}) is defined by the Tridentine Council as "a translation from that state wherein man is born a child of the first Adam, to the state of grace and of the adoption of the sons of God through the second Adam, …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

Concerning Justification.
Concerning Justification. As many as resist not this light, but receive the same, it becomes in them an holy, pure, and spiritual birth, bringing forth holiness, righteousness, purity, and all those other blessed fruits which are acceptable to God: by which holy birth, to wit, Jesus Christ formed within us, and working his works in us, as we are sanctified, so are we justified in the sight of God, according to the apostle's words; But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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