◄ Proverbs 24:2 ►
for their hearts devise violence, and their lips declare trouble.
Study Bible
for their hearts devise violence
This phrase highlights the inner motivations and intentions of the wicked. In biblical context, the heart is often seen as the center of thought and intention (Jeremiah 17:9). The idea of devising violence suggests premeditated harm, reflecting a deep-seated corruption. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that sin originates in the heart (Matthew 15:19). Historically, violence was a common issue in ancient societies, often leading to societal instability. The phrase warns against associating with those whose hearts are set on such destructive paths, echoing the wisdom literature's emphasis on the company one keeps (Proverbs 13:20).

and their lips declare trouble
This part of the verse focuses on the outward expression of the wicked's inner thoughts. The lips, representing speech, are used to spread trouble, which can mean deceit, slander, or incitement to conflict. This reflects the biblical principle that words have power (Proverbs 18:21). The connection between heart and speech is a recurring theme in Scripture, as seen in Luke 6:45, where Jesus teaches that the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. The cultural context of the time placed significant importance on spoken words, which could influence public opinion and incite actions. This serves as a caution against the influence of those who use their words to cause harm, aligning with the broader biblical call to guard one's speech (James 3:5-6).

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Wicked
This verse refers to individuals whose hearts and minds are set on causing harm and chaos. They are characterized by their internal and external expressions of violence and trouble.

2. The Heart
In Hebrew thought, the heart ("lev") is the center of thought, emotion, and intention. It is where plans and desires originate.

3. The Lips
Symbolic of speech and communication, the lips are the means by which internal thoughts and intentions are expressed outwardly.
Teaching Points
Guard Your Heart
Since the heart is the source of intentions, it is crucial to guard it against evil thoughts and desires. Regular self-examination and prayer can help keep one's heart aligned with God's will.

Mind Your Speech
Our words have power and can either build up or tear down. Being mindful of our speech and ensuring it reflects godly values is essential for living a life that honors God.

Influence of Companions
The company we keep can influence our hearts and speech. Surrounding ourselves with godly influences can help us avoid the path of the wicked.

Seek Wisdom
Proverbs consistently emphasizes the value of wisdom. Seeking wisdom through Scripture and godly counsel can help us devise plans that are righteous rather than violent.

Repentance and Renewal
If we find ourselves devising or speaking trouble, repentance and seeking God's forgiveness and renewal are vital steps to realign with His purposes.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the condition of our heart influence our actions and words according to Proverbs 24:2?

2. In what ways can we guard our hearts against devising violence or trouble?

3. How does the company we keep affect our thoughts and speech, and what steps can we take to ensure positive influences?

4. Reflect on a time when your words caused trouble. What could have been done differently to align with godly speech?

5. How can we apply the teachings of Proverbs 24:2 in our daily interactions with others, especially in challenging situations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 6:5
This verse describes the wickedness of humanity before the flood, where every intention of the thoughts of the heart was only evil continually, similar to the devising of violence in Proverbs 24:2.

Matthew 15:18-19
Jesus explains that what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person, connecting to the idea that the lips declare what the heart devises.

James 3:6
James speaks about the tongue as a fire, a world of unrighteousness, which aligns with the idea of lips declaring trouble.
Sermons
Warning Against Evil CompanyE. Johnson Proverbs 24:1, 2
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Destruction, Devise, Heart, Hearts, Lips, Making, Meditate, Minds, Mischief, Oppression, Perverseness, Plot, Purposes, Speak, Studieth, Talk, Talking, Trouble, Violence
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 24:2

     5014   heart, human

Proverbs 24:1-2

     5550   speech, negative

Library
The Sluggard's Garden
'I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31. And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.'--PROVERBS xxiv. 30, 31. This picture of the sluggard's garden seems to be intended as a parable. No doubt its direct simple meaning is full of homely wisdom in full accord with the whole tone of the Book of Proverbs; but we shall scarcely do justice to this saying of the wise …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Broken Fence
A sermon (No. 3381) published on Thursday, November 20th 1913. Delivered by C. H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and to, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down, Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it and received instruction."--Proverbs 24:30-32. This slothful man did no hurt to his fellow-men: …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Sluggard's Farm
A sermon (No. 2027) intended for reading on Lord's Day, June 3rd 1888, delivered by C. H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction."--Proverbs 24:30-32. No doubt Solomon was sometimes glad …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

Epistle xxxvi. To Maximus, Bishop of Salona .
To Maximus, Bishop of Salona [113] . Gregory to Maximus, &c. When our common son the presbyter Veteranus came to the Roman city, he found me so weak from the pains of gout as to be quite unable to answer thy Fraternity's letters myself. And indeed with regard to the nation of the Sclaves [114] , from which you are in great danger, I am exceedingly afflicted and disturbed. I am afflicted as suffering already in your suffering: I am disturbed, because they have already begun to enter Italy by way …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Portrait of a Drunkyard
'Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30. They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34. Yea, thou shalt be as …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

2 Cor. Iii. 5
Not that we are sufficient of our selves, to think any thing as of our selves: but our Sufficiency is of God. IN my former Discourse upon these Words, I shewed you that it was the sole Design of St. Paul in them, to declare, that, in the setting about, and executing, the difficult and laborious Work of an Apostle, He did not arrogate to himself the Power, and Ability, and Success, which he had: but that he ascribed his Sufficiency for this great Work, as well as his being designed to it, to God himself, …
Benjamin Hoadly—Several Discourses Concerning the Terms of Acceptance with God

How to Make Use of Christ for Taking the Guilt of Our Daily Out-Breakings Away.
The next part of our sanctification is in reference to our daily failings and transgressions, committed partly through the violence of temptations, as we see in David and Peter, and other eminent men of God; partly through daily infirmities, because of our weakness and imperfections; for, "in many things we offend all," James iii. 2; and, "if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us," 1 John i. 8; "a righteous man falleth seven times," Prov. xxiv. 16; "there is not …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Justice of God
The next attribute is God's justice. All God's attributes are identical, and are the same with his essence. Though he has several attributes whereby he is made known to us, yet he has but one essence. A cedar tree may have several branches, yet it is but one cedar. So there are several attributes of God whereby we conceive of him, but only one entire essence. Well, then, concerning God's justice. Deut 32:4. Just and right is he.' Job 37:23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Necessity of Actual Grace
In treating of the necessity of actual grace we must avoid two extremes. The first is that mere nature is absolutely incapable of doing any thing good. This error was held by the early Protestants and the followers of Baius and Jansenius. The second is that nature is able to perform supernatural acts by its own power. This was taught by the Pelagians and Semipelagians. Between these two extremes Catholic theology keeps the golden mean. It defends the capacity of human nature against Protestants and …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

Meditations on the Hindrances which Keep Back a Sinner from the Practice of Piety.
Those hindrances are chiefly seven:-- I. An ignorant mistaking of the true meaning of certain places of the holy Scriptures, and some other chief grounds of Christian religion. The Scriptures mistaken are these: 1. Ezek. xxxiii. 14, 16, "At what time soever a sinner repenteth him of his sin, I will blot out all," &c. Hence the carnal Christian gathers, that he may repent when he will. It is true, whensoever a sinner does repent, God will forgive; but the text saith not, that a sinner may repent whensoever …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and Ungodly Men.
Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With Wicked And Ungodly Men. When the Lord is punishing such a people against whom he hath a controversy, and a notable controversy, every one that is found shall be thrust through: and every one joined with them shall fall, Isa. xiii. 15. They partake in their judgment, not only because in a common calamity all shares, (as in Ezek. xxi. 3.) but chiefly because joined with and partakers with these whom God is pursuing; even as the strangers that join …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

A Treatise on Good Works
I. We ought first to know that there are no good works except those which God has commanded, even as there is no sin except that which God has forbidden. Therefore whoever wishes to know and to do good works needs nothing else than to know God's commandments. Thus Christ says, Matthew xix, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." And when the young man asks Him, Matthew xix, what he shall do that he may inherit eternal life, Christ sets before him naught else but the Ten Commandments. …
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works

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

Links
Proverbs 24:2 NIV
Proverbs 24:2 NLT
Proverbs 24:2 ESV
Proverbs 24:2 NASB
Proverbs 24:2 KJV

Proverbs 24:2 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Proverbs 24:1
Top of Page
Top of Page