Proverbs 17:4

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about morals:

Proverbs 17:4 (ESV)

An evildoer listens to wicked lips,

and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

Why?   If you read this proverb you have to ask yourself the question, "Why?"   Why would someone who is an evildoer listen to the lips of another evildoer, a "wicked" person?   Why would someone bent on ignoring the truth want to further listen to someone who wants to use their tongue for destructive purposes?  Probably one explanation to these questions is that "birds of a feather flock together" and that is the point Solomon is trying to make.  An evildoer hangs around with wicked speaking friends, so of course he/she will listen to them.  Someone who is classified as a liar will join the circles of others who are destructive with their tongue.   Perhaps Solomon is warning us that bad company corrupts good morals and perpetuates bad morals.   Or, maybe what Solomon is telling us is that these evil character qualities - evildoing, wicked lips, lying, destructive use of the tongue - are so deep into our depravity they can only find comfort when surrounded by each other.    We actually seek out destructive and evil patterns of behavior in others because that is all we can do.  Maybe a third option is that Solomon is telling us that this is how we get that way!   Evildoers get evil because they listen to wicked lips.   Liars get that way because they pay attention to the destructive tongue.  I personally feel that is what Solomon is telling us.  Instead of listening to Wisdom we listen to the fool and the fool entices us to be foolish - to do evil and to lie.   Don't listen to the wicked or the destructive tongue.  They will turn you into themselves.  Listen to wisdom instead.  Perhaps a fourth options of this proverb is that when the wicked speak and someone listens, attentively, it stirs something in their hearts.  That is what the Hebrew word for “listens” means ...  it means to “perk up the ears.”   When the wicked speak, perhaps they touch something inside our hearts, when our hearts are not focused on Christ.  If we have something, or, someone, else on our hearts we are drawn to the wicked counsel of others.  We want to hear their words.  Keeping a focus on Christ makes us righteous.  If we are righteous we will worship Christ and reject the words of the wicked.   When we worship another, their words are interesting us to us.   We are to listen to wisdom’s words. If we have Christ in our hearts, we will.