Seek Those With Pure Speech – (Proverbs 22:10-11)

Daily Bible Study
These passages contrast the scoffer with those of gracious and edifying speech. God's word warns us over and over again about the scoffer, like the fool there is little hope for them, without the work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. The scoffer is expelled from the community because his influence is destructive. Moreover, his ridicule is against both people and against God. The goal of the scoffer is to bring destruction and chaos, while they themselves condone the actions of the wicked. In addition, they use ridicule to hide their evil intent. Therefore, we are not to rely on, nor associate with the scoffer, because their hearts can never be won over by people. Only God can truly change the heart of a scoffer and the fool alike. And for that to happen the Holy Spirit must first bring back to life their heart, which is dead in trespasses and sin. This is first needed in order for them to recognize Christ for who He is, what He has done for us and understand the Gospel message and by faith accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

God through the work of the Holy Spirit, must first change the scoffer's heart in order for them to recognize their fallen state and accept Jesus. Unlike the world who seeks after those who criticize what's good, accuse the people of God and bring about the destruction of the things and people of God. We should seek out those with gracious speech and purity of words and help build them up as well, because their words come from a heart given over to trusting in the Lord. We should strive ourselves to build up others and share with them the grace of God. The heart of one with gracious speech as referred to in these passages, is one who brings restoration and guidance not destruction. We must never forget the mouth only brings forth what's in our hearts. And the difference between the righteous and the scoffer is what their heart sets its focus on. The scoffer seeks to destroy people with their words because their heart focuses on self and what they feel they deserve, or desire to have. While those with gracious speech seek to build up others, because they focus on the Lord and His word. Moreover, the gracious understand that everything we have is a gift from God, to a fallen humanity.