To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
Wisdom, knowledge, understanding and discretion preserve and protect by delivering from the influence, path and way of the evil person, especially the one who speaks perverse, froward and crooked things. The evil way means abandoning and leaving upright paths for darkness. It also means leading others away from upright paths into darkness.
This deliverance follows earnest seeking and receiving of spiritual wisdom and knowledge from God. The resulting understanding guards the heart and keeps the seeker from evil. Receiving God's wisdom builds an upright character and prepares a person to act faithfully and responsibly. Heeding wisdom belongs with building a character of upright principles and clean, thorough integrity.
The evil speakers are those whose lives are not clean and upright, who are selfish, self-serving and dishonest. They spread harmful ideas and rumors, make trouble especially in an important crisis, draw others into trouble and under their influence, and act without guidance and a message from God. Those with experience should cut away from them. Placing confidence in such men is a great difficulty, and following their ideas and running on rumor shows an unsettled state without a firm grip on the Lord and without divine light. Firm trust in the Lord and thorough conversion are needed to resist their influence.
The verse instructs honoring the Lord in speech by correcting excessive visiting and unprofitable conversation and calling for profitable speech.
Wisdom, knowledge, understanding and discretion preserve and protect by delivering from the influence, path and way of the evil person, especially the one who speaks perverse, froward and crooked things. The evil way means abandoning and leaving upright paths for darkness. It also means leading others away from upright paths into darkness.
This deliverance follows earnest seeking and receiving of spiritual wisdom and knowledge from God. The resulting understanding guards the heart and keeps the seeker from evil. Receiving God's wisdom builds an upright character and prepares a person to act faithfully and responsibly. Heeding wisdom belongs with building a character of upright principles and clean, thorough integrity.
The evil speakers are those whose lives are not clean and upright, who are selfish, self-serving and dishonest. They spread harmful ideas and rumors, make trouble especially in an important crisis, draw others into trouble and under their influence, and act without guidance and a message from God. Those with experience should cut away from them. Placing confidence in such men is a great difficulty, and following their ideas and running on rumor shows an unsettled state without a firm grip on the Lord and without divine light. Firm trust in the Lord and thorough conversion are needed to resist their influence.
The verse instructs honoring the Lord in speech by correcting excessive visiting and unprofitable conversation and calling for profitable speech.