Put away deception from your mouth;This phrase emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in speech. In biblical context, deception is often associated with sin and is contrary to the nature of God, who is truth (
John 14:6). The call to put away deception aligns with the wisdom literature's broader theme of living righteously and in accordance with God's commandments. Historically, in ancient Israel, truthfulness was a valued trait, essential for maintaining community trust and justice. The exhortation to avoid deception can be seen as a reflection of the ninth commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (
Exodus 20:16). This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are urged to speak the truth in love (
Ephesians 4:15).
keep your lips from perverse speech.
Perverse speech refers to language that is corrupt, misleading, or morally twisted. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, speech was a powerful tool that could build up or destroy communities. The wisdom literature often contrasts the speech of the wise with that of the foolish, highlighting the destructive potential of perverse words (Proverbs 10:31-32). This phrase calls for self-control and discernment in communication, aligning with the biblical principle that words reflect the heart's condition (Matthew 12:34). The New Testament reinforces this idea, urging believers to let no corrupting talk come out of their mouths, but only what is good for building up (Ephesians 4:29). This aligns with the character of Jesus Christ, who is depicted as the Word made flesh (John 1:14), embodying perfect truth and purity in speech.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SolomonTraditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He wrote Proverbs to impart wisdom and guidance.
2.
IsraelThe nation to whom Solomon originally addressed his teachings, emphasizing the importance of wisdom and righteous living.
3.
The Father and SonIn the broader context of
Proverbs 4, the father imparts wisdom to his son, symbolizing the transmission of godly wisdom from one generation to the next.
Teaching Points
Guard Your SpeechOur words have power and can either build up or tear down. As believers, we are called to speak truth and avoid deception.
Heart and Mouth ConnectionWhat we say reflects what is in our hearts. We must cultivate a heart aligned with God's truth to ensure our speech is pure.
Avoiding Perverse SpeechThis includes not only lies but also gossip, slander, and any form of communication that does not honor God.
Seek WisdomRegularly immerse yourself in Scripture to gain wisdom that will guide your speech and actions.
AccountabilitySurround yourself with fellow believers who can lovingly hold you accountable for your words and encourage you in your walk with Christ.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Proverbs 4:24?
2.How can we "put away deceitful speech" in our daily conversations?
3.What does Proverbs 4:24 teach about the power of our words?
4.How does Proverbs 4:24 connect with James 3:5-10 on controlling the tongue?
5.Why is avoiding "perverse talk" crucial for maintaining a godly character?
6.How can we encourage others to follow Proverbs 4:24 in their speech?
7.How does Proverbs 4:24 guide Christians in their speech and communication?
8.What is the historical context of Proverbs 4:24?
9.How does Proverbs 4:24 relate to the overall theme of wisdom in Proverbs?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 4?
11.What defines a perverse mouth?
12.What does the Bible say about perverseness?
13.What defines a perverse mouth?
14.What does the Bible say about passive-aggressiveness?What Does Proverbs 4:24 Mean
Put away deception• Solomon calls for an intentional, decisive act. “Put away” is the language of removing something unclean from personal space, just asJoshua 24:23 urges Israel to “put away the foreign gods.”
• Deception has no place in the life of those who fear the Lord. CompareEphesians 4:25, “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor,” andColossians 3:9, “Do not lie to one another.”
• Truth reflects God’s own character (Numbers 23:19;Titus 1:2). Lying reflects the devil’s character (John 8:44). To honor God, we must actively discard every shade of dishonesty—half-truths, exaggerations, misleading silences, and outright lies.
From your mouth• The mouth is the fountainhead of words, and words reveal the heart (Matthew 12:34–37).
• By specifying “your mouth,” the verse emphasizes personal accountability. We cannot blame culture or circumstance; we alone choose what exits our lips.
•Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that “life and death are in the power of the tongue.” Each sentence we form either nourishes or poisons those who hear.
Keep your lips• “Keep” speaks of vigilant guarding, like a watchman on duty (Psalm 141:3: “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth”).
• This is not a one-time decision but a continuous discipline.James 3:2 notes that anyone who never stumbles in what he says “is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body.”
• Practical helps:
– Pause before speaking (Proverbs 10:19).
– Weigh words against Scripture’s standard of edification (Ephesians 4:29).
– Invite trusted believers to hold us accountable (Proverbs 27:17).
From perverse speech• “Perverse” describes speech that is twisted, corrupt, or contrary to God’s straight path (Proverbs 8:13).
• This includes coarse joking, slander, gossip, manipulation, and any words that distort truth or righteousness (Ephesians 5:4;Colossians 3:8).
•Proverbs 6:16-19 lists “a lying tongue” and “a false witness who pours out lies” among the seven abominations to the Lord. Avoiding such speech protects both speaker and hearer from spiritual harm.
summaryProverbs 4:24 commands a heart-level overhaul of our speech. Strip away every form of falsehood, vigilantly guard what you say, and refuse words that twist or corrupt. In doing so, you align your mouth with God’s truth, bless those who listen, and walk the straight path He has set before you.
(24)
A froward mouth.--Heb.
'iqqesh-th,literally,
distortion,or twisting of the truth, not the same word as in
Proverbs 2:12;
Proverbs 2:14.
Perverse lips--i.e., that "turn aside" from the truth.
Verse 24. - The following admonitions of this chapter bear reference to the outward conduct of life. They continue the subject of ver. 23 by showing how the guarding of the heart is to be done. There is the most; intimate connection between the heart as the fountain of the moral life and of the conduct of life, which, though determined by the condition of the heart, in its turn reacts upon the heart as the moral centre, and keeps it pure. Thus the subject is treated from its two sides. On vers. 24 and 25 Hitzig remarks that they "warn against an arbitrary perverting of the moral judgment into which evil passions so easily betray, and admonish not to give misdirection to thought within the department of morality."
A froward mouth, and perverse lips; literally,
perverseness of mouth and waywardness of lips (
ikk'shuth peh vulzuth s'phathayim). "Perversity of mouth" is fraudulent, deceitful speech; that which twists, distorts, perverts, or misrepresents what is true, and hence falsehood (
Proverbs 4:24;
Proverbs 6:12;
Proverbs 19:1). The
σκολιὸν στόμα of the LXX.,
i.e. the "tortuous mouth," in a metaphorical sense. The phrase is very similar in meaning with the parallel "waywardness of lips," which means speech which turns aside from what is true and right, the noun
lazuth being derived from
lazah, or
luz, "to bend aside." The tongue is the unruly member (
James 3:2). Speech is the index of the mind (Lapide). Vigilance over the heart is vigilance over the mouth, inasmuch as "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (
Matthew 12:34). The admonition may have a twofold application, and may mean either do not indulge in this kind of speech yourself, exercise an unremitting jealousy over every propensity to it; or have no dealings with those who are guilty of it, as in
Psalm 101:5.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Putהָסֵ֣ר(hā·sêr)Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5493:To turn asideawayמִ֭מְּךָ(mim·mə·ḵā)Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4480:A part of, from, out ofdeceptionעִקְּשׁ֣וּת(‘iq·qə·šūṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6143:Crookednessfrom your mouth;פֶּ֑ה(peh)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6310:The mouth, edge, portion, side, according tokeepהַרְחֵ֥ק(har·ḥêq)Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7368:To be or become far or distantyour lipsשְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם(p̄ā·ṯa·yim)Noun - fd
Strong's 8193:The lip, language, a marginfrom perverse speech.וּלְז֥וּת(ū·lə·zūṯ)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3891:Deviation, crookedness
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OT Poetry: Proverbs 4:24 Put away from yourself a perverse mouth (Prov. Pro Pr) 
