Proverbs 20:11

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about our deeds:

Proverbs 20:11 (NASB)

It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself

If his conduct is pure and right.

Proverbs 20:11 (ESV)

Even a child makes himself known by his acts,

by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

Bad behavior is, at times, a great form of communication.   When a child is acting out in school we often are being told something about their heart, struggle and/or mindset.   Behavior is a great form of communication ... whether that behavior is good or bad.  Today we would say the above proverb like this: "Make sure you walk matches you talk!"  Or, we might say: "Your deeds tell us your creeds."   The point Solomon is making is the same thing that James tells us in his epistle:  "Faith without works is dead."  Or, like John says in his first epistle: "By their deeds you will know them."   We all know and recognize the importance of our deeds matching our tongues.   A common agreed norm of society is that hypocrites are not well respected.   Too many two-faced people are in authority in our society, however.   Not just in places of non-belief, but in our churches and Christian organisations.   But, we all, are somewhat hypocritical, aren't we?  We say one thing and do another.   We profess one thing, but because of sin we can't find our way without being hypocrites.    Of course God knows this and in grace He forgives us.  But, in this passage, we are told that we will know more about a young man by what we see from them verses what we hear from them.   The reputation of a young man is demonstrated by his conduct.   The word "distinguishes," in the above verse, means that of recognising someone in the dark by their distinct voice.   When we hear their voice we know them and recognise them, even though we can't see them.   So, too, our deeds.  We know who others are based upon their deeds ... the type of person they are.   We know if they are pure or right.   Deeds are like the coloured lights at a traffic signal.  They let us know the differences between go and stop.   True deeds reflect the heart.  What's in the well comes up in the bucket.