Proverbs 6:14
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Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
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Are you a naughty person - a wicked person? Are you able to identify people that are? Solomon listed the traits of evil men and women and their coming punishment (6:12-15). Wisdom has many advantages and facets. Here are two: do you live above the traits in this proverb? And can you identify those who do or do not? Wisdom is the power of right judgment, and you want to achieve both objectives - godly living and godly discernment.
Solomon had already described a naughty or wicked man as one that has a froward mouth (6:12). This is one of the easiest ways to identify a fool or evil man - listen! His speech will be argumentative, contrary, inappropriate, harsh, unreasonable, hurtful, and uncooperative. Wisdom teaches your mouth to avoid these despicable sins (15:28; 16:23), and it teaches you to discern them in others (9:7-8; 14:7; Eccl 10:12-14).
He further described a wicked man's propensity for crafty and subtle tactics in his dealings with others (6:13). Rather than being direct, honest, plain, straightforward, and upfront, he sneaks his influence and opinions around, indicated by Solomon's description of his winking eyes and message-sending feet and hands. Godly men are open and truthful, without any subterfuge of any sort. Their noble intentions are known easily.
This proverb gave three more traits of a wicked man. First, he has a froward heart. His froward speech is not merely a bad habit (6:12); it comes from a perverse, implacable, and ungovernable heart. Such men have an evil disposition. They are agitated, arrogant, difficult to deal with, hard to please, insubordinate, rebellious, and selfish. They would rather argue, complain, debate, and fight than live in peace. Godly men are the opposite. They are content, cooperative, gracious, helpful, kind, merciful, and patient.
Second, he is continually scheming mischief. His mind has no interest in the good and virtuous thoughts of a wise man (Phil 4:8). He cannot rest without conniving and conspiring to take advantage of others (4:16; Ps 36:4; Mic 2:1). God hates these persons (6:18). Their perverse and twisted hearts and minds are always imagining the worst about others and planning ways to condemn them, thwart their plans, or disrupt their peace.
Third, he is a troublemaker and disturbs the peace - he sows discord. Harmony, peace, and unity are goals of wise men, for they love peacemaking. But naughty men are addicted to backbiting, sedition, slandering, talebearing, and whispering. God hates these persons (6:19). They are contentious, and they cannot keep their unhappiness to themselves; they must disrupt the contentment and cooperation of others (16:28; 26:21).
What will God do to naughty persons? He will miserably destroy them (6:15)! He will bring calamities suddenly into their lives to tear them up and repay them for the pain and trouble they have caused others. He will break their plans and peace, and there will be no remedy from His anger. Be sure your sin will find you out! Wickedness brings judgment!
God says to you, "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls" (Jas 1:21). Reject your naughty and wicked habits. Repent, and confess them to God. Go to those you have mistreated and make peace or restitution. Do not think for a minute that hearing this warning has any value. The blessing and reward are in the doing (Jas 1:22-27)!
God and Solomon have offered you wisdom in this proverb. A wise man will see the traits of naughty men and go as far as he can in the opposite direction. A wise man will learn to discern and perceive wicked traits in others - to warn and rebuke them, or to avoid them. A wise man will train these traits entirely out of his children. A wise man will thank God for the wisdom of His word and pray for the conviction to obey it fully.
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