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The Transgression That Ensnares

Proverbs 12:13 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
¹³In the transgression of the lips, there is an evil snare,
but the righteous escapes from trouble.

“The transgression of the lips is an evil snare.” Transgression, in Hebrew “pesha,” refers to deliberate and rebellious wrongdoing. It signifies an action that violates a standard, whether it be moral, legal, or divine. The term particularly emphasizes the defiant or rebellious nature of the violation.

In this context, the “transgression of the lips” refers to instances when falsehoods are spoken or when one lies. Individuals may find themselves caught in this transgression due to their desire to evade an embarrassing situation, to extract themselves from an uncomfortable circumstance, or to avoid facing punishment. They might believe that lying provides an easy escape from such dilemmas. Yet, this verse warns that their own words can ensnare them, that is, trap them in their own deceit. The term “ensnared” in Hebrew is “moqesh,” emphasizing the trap-like nature of the repercussions they face.

Therefore, this verse warns us of the dangers inherent in deceitful speech and urges us to maintain truthfulness in our interactions.

“However, the righteous escapes from trouble.” In this context, righteousness or “tsaddiq” in Hebrew refers to an adherence to the moral standard outlined in God’s Word. Here, the term escape, or “yatsa” in Hebrew, means that the righteous avoid trouble—”tsarah” in Hebrew, signifying distress and pain. The righteous manage to evade such turmoil by refraining from falsehood, even under intense pressure.

Lying is indeed a transgression of the lips, an insidious snare that inflicts harm on those who intentionally mislead others through dishonesty, essentially, by not telling the truth (Revelation 21:8). Initially, being deceitful might appear to be a convenient way to skirt an awkward situation, extract oneself from an unfavorable circumstance, or avert punishment. However, most of us understand that one lie invariably leads to another.

This scenario resembles a gambler’s journey. Initially, a gambler may risk small amounts. But over time, they are enticed into making progressively larger bets in a desperate attempt to recoup their losses. Similarly, a person who lies soon finds themselves ensnared in a relentless cycle of deception.

The same peril of lying that applies to the deception of others is equally relevant when we deceive ourselves. For anyone who has spent significant time on social media, it’s evident that some individuals have convinced themselves of their vast knowledge or even brilliance about a certain topic when, in fact, they are grossly misinformed and possess minimal understanding. These individuals are essentially living a falsehood. As Psalm 36:2 states, “In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin.” Such is the treacherous snare of dishonesty.

Conversely, the righteous individual refrains from placing themselves in such precarious situations and thus evades the turmoil associated with a life of deceit. Even under the most intense stress, they refuse to succumb to falsehood.

Spiritual Growth

This verse teaches us that it is important to be wise in our speech.

The word “wise” in this verse refers to someone who is able to make sound decisions and who is able to see the big picture. The word “fool” in this verse refers to someone who is foolish or who lacks good judgment. This verse teaches us that it is important to be wise in our speech because our words can have a powerful impact on others.

Here are some ways that we can apply this verse to our Christian living:

Be mindful of our words. We should be mindful of our words and make sure that they are wise and thoughtful. We should avoid saying things that are hurtful or that could damage our relationships.
Be slow to speak. We should be slow to speak and quick to listen. We should take time to think before we speak, and we should make sure that our words are necessary.
Be humble in our speech. We should be humble in our speech and not boastful. We should remember that our words are not our own, but they are from God.

Additional thoughts

The verse specifically mentions that whoever is wise has regard for his words, but a fool blurts out his folly. This is a reminder that it is important to be wise in our speech.
The verse also teaches us that we should be slow to speak and quick to listen. We should take time to think before we speak, and we should make sure that our words are necessary.

Challenge

This week, I challenge you to be mindful of your words. Be slow to speak and quick to listen. Be humble in your speech and remember that your words are from God.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).