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Wisdom suggests that we have conversations that are helpful. That starts with what is in our heart, continues with what we say and is carried out in how we prove our love. At first, it did not taste good to us. It is a taste to be acquired.

Bullies are out to get their own way and make themselves look good.

  • Why be a bully?
  • “Why not?” you say.
  • The reason is that God can’t stand twisted souls who are mean and cruel.

It is the straightforward who get God’s respect and who are in right standing with him. Jesus challenges us to not hate our enemies.

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From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence. Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens his lips wide comes to ruin. [1]

Proverbs 13:2-3

These verses play on the Hebrew multipurpose word nephesh (“soul, self, appetite, throat, or mouth”). Treacherous people will not receive good things and in fact have no appetite (nephesh) for them.

Instead, their treachery will backfire as violence, that is, fierceness, ruthlessness, or malice. The wise man protects his life (nephesh). Nephesh as “mouth” is implied. The slacker … has nothing for his mouth, but the mouth of the diligent is fully satisfied.[2]

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Pr 13:2–3.

[2] David K. Stabnow, “Proverbs,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 971.