“A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth,”
Solomon is about to let us know that it doesn’t go well for this person. In the original language a troublemaker is referring to a worthless person. I have always restrained from referring to anyone as worthless. I think in terms of the fact that God sent His Son to die for everyone. With that price paid I do not believe anyone is worthless. However, Solomon reveals the lack of value the troublemaker has in any organization or relationship. If you doubt that just ask anyone in HR. They will quickly confirm how dangerous and disruptive, even worthless, those people are to a business. This individual will use any part of their life to cause problems but quite often it is the malicious words they speak that do the deepest damage to others. In the last two days I’ve encountered two people with T-shirts on that simply said “Be Kind”. One of them was my eight year old granddaughter. Of all the messages that will counteract the worthless persons corrupt mouth this may be the simplest yet most powerful. Where the corrupt mouth sets out to wound, tear down, and even destroy the person of value, integrity the person of godly character sets out to build up, encourage and give life. Kind words are transformative. As you consider who you are in Christ and the role you play in the world it could be as simple as reflecting on how you model those two simple words. Are you kind? Today be kind. #BeTheEdge
“…love is kind.” 1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV
