Proverbs 18:6 - Meaning and Application

Solomon has often shown what trouble wicked people bring on others with their uncontrolled tongues. Here he shows what trouble they bring on themselves.

First, they drag themselves into quarrels. A fool’s lips, without any good reason, start arguments by pushing foolish ideas that others must answer. They may also use insulting words that will be answered, or challenge people and dare them to respond. Proud, hot-tempered people, and drunkards, are fools whose lips lead them into conflict. A wise person may be pulled into a fight against his will, but a fool chooses it when he could avoid it, and he will regret it later.

Second, they expose themselves to punishment. In effect, the fool’s mouth calls for blows. He says things that deserve punishment, and he keeps saying things that need to be checked and restrained. This was like Ananias, who wrongly ordered Paul to be struck on the mouth (Acts 23:2).

Third, they bring ruin on themselves. A fool’s mouth, which has destroyed others or would have destroyed others, finally becomes his own destruction, perhaps through human hands. Shimei’s mouth was his own destruction, and so was Adonijah’s, since he spoke against his own life. When a fool, through foolish speech, gets himself into serious legal trouble and then tries to defend or excuse what he said, his defense only makes things worse. His lips are still a snare for his soul, trapping him more and more.

Even more serious, when people are judged by God for their evil words, their mouths will be their destruction. Their words will add to their misery and will leave them no relief. They will have no drop of water, no comfort, to cool the tongue that became their snare and will also be their torment.