Proverbs 11:9
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An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
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Hypocrites lead others into sin, trouble, and eventually destruction by their lying words. But a just man, with the wisdom and knowledge of God and His word, will not be led astray by these wicked talkers. He will see through them. Thank God for saving truth!
What is a hypocrite? He is a man who puts up a front to hide his wicked heart, life, and intentions. They flatter, pretend, and lie. They are wolves in sheep's clothing (Matt 7:15).
How does he use his mouth? He deceives and misleads the simple by good words and fair speeches (Rom 16:18). He flatters to get men to let down their guard and hear him.
How does he destroy others? He leads men to sin by pretending to have good intentions. He uses religion to get men to think well of him (Matt 6:2,5,16; 23:14,25,27). He speaks of loving the Lord but lives for himself, which undermines the faith of those watching.
What is a just man? He is a righteous man, who does what is right in the sight of God and men. He is honest, sincere, and true. He is the opposite of the hypocritical liar (20:7).
How are the just delivered? The just man is saved from the hypocrite by knowing the truth, which gives him the wisdom and understanding to reject the hypocrite's ideas.
What knowledge saves the just? Knowing God and His word saves righteous men from the evil work of the hypocrite. By knowing God's will from the scriptures, they easily see through the bluster and boasting of the hypocrite. Pursue knowledge, reader!
Jesus often faced hypocrites. The Pharisees, the most conservative denomination of the Jews' religion, were the greatest hypocrites in the Bible by claiming to be the most dedicated to God while hiding their perverse agenda. They eventually killed Jesus.
The Bible warned there would be many hypocrites in the future (II Cor 2:17; 4:2; 11:13-15; Col 2:4; II Thess 2:10; I Tim 4:1-3; 6:3-5; II Pet 2:3,18-19; Jude 1:16). In fact, we may live in the most hypocritical time of all, for Paul prophesied of perilous times of the last days, when men would only have a form of godliness (II Tim 3:5; 4:3-4).
Reader, are you knowledgeable and wise enough to defeat hypocrites? Are you so settled on the word of God that you can see through their deceitful pretensions, good words, and fair speeches (Rom 16:17)? Learning the Bible and walking in the Spirit will save you.
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